UX Designer Salary in Traverse City, MI: $51,381 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Traverse City, MI earns a median $51,381/year (≈ $24.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Traverse City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $55,130 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Traverse City, MI can expect a median annual salary of $51,381, which represents a significant gap compared to the national average of $83,320. The local salary range spans from $29,802 at the 10th percentile to $79,642 at the 90th percentile, suggesting opportunities for various levels of experience and expertise. Employers in the area reflect a mix of digital product agencies, in-house design teams, and freelance opportunities. The hiring climate is influenced by Traverse City’s unique cost of living dynamics, as local estimates from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments show a cost of living index at 93.2, indicating a slightly lower than average cost for goods and services. This market context suggests that while salaries may fall short of national standards, they can still be compelling when adjusted for local purchasing power.
About the Traverse City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($80,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,802 | $14.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,995 | $17.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,381 | $24.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,768 | $31.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,642 | $38.28 |
Median Salary Position
38.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Traverse City
In Traverse City, MI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,840 (2026 est.). At $51,381, the local median is 38.33% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Traverse City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Traverse City UX Designer Pay Compares
Traverse City median: $51,381/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Traverse City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $54,314 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -38.33% less |
UX Designers in Traverse City, MI earn a median of $51,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.33% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $54,314.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Traverse City has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Traverse City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $51,381 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,130 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$36,950
2025 BLS Actual
$48,101
2026 Current Est.
$51,381
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Traverse City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $36,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,499 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,576 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,381 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,886 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Traverse City metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $36,950 (2021) to $48,101 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,936 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Traverse City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $29,802 – $36,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,995 – $51,381 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,381 – $65,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,768 – $79,642 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Traverse City
The job market in Traverse City is relatively small, with only five UX designers currently employed in the area, which could affect competition for roles. Despite the modest number of professionals, the opportunities available span various sectors, from tech companies and digital agencies to freelance positions. Salary variations largely arise from the type of employer, with tech firms generally offering higher compensation compared to non-tech entities. Furthermore, the specialization within UX design—ranging from research-heavy roles to more visual-centric positions—affects pay scales significantly. To maximize earnings in this market, designers can strengthen their portfolios by focusing on projects that demonstrate their ability to work with heavily-trafficked applications and secure engagements with more established firms. Keeping abreast of industry tools, like Figma, and developing a strong understanding of design systems can also enhance job prospects and potential pay increases.
More salary data for Traverse City, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Maria Chen, MDes
Content Lead
Maria has over 10 years of experience in user experience design. She specializes in usability testing and user research. Maria has worked with tech companies and startups.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $48,101 for ux designersin the Traverse City metropolitan area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Traverse City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ux designers (SOC 15-1255).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov