UX Designer Salary in Austin, MN: $58,218 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Austin, MN earns a median $58,218/year (≈ $27.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $59,105 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a UX designer in Austin, Minnesota, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $58,218. This figure reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $83,320, illustrating that the local salary for this role is approximately 30.13% lower than the national average. Salary ranges in Austin show a wide disparity, with entry-level positions starting around $33,767 and experienced designers potentially earning up to $90,238. These estimates are based on BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost-of-living factors. Within Austin's market, the choice between working for a top tech company versus a smaller agency or in-house design team can greatly affect compensation, with tech giants typically offering more competitive packages that include stock options and other benefits.
About the Austin Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,767 | $16.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,917 | $20.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,218 | $27.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,519 | $35.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,238 | $43.38 |
Median Salary Position
30.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, MN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,471 (2026 est.). At $58,218, the local median is 30.13% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Austin UX Designer Pay Compares
Austin median: $58,218/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,541 | -5.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -30.13% less |
UX Designers in Austin, MN earn a median of $58,218 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.13% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $61,541.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $58,218 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,105 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$41,866
2025 BLS Actual
$54,501
2026 Current Est.
$58,218
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Austin (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,866 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,622 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $86,456 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,501 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,218 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,188 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $41,866 (2021) to $54,501 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,188 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,322 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $33,767 – $41,917 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,917 – $58,218 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,218 – $74,519 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,519 – $90,238 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Austin
Considering the local employment conditions, there are just four UX designers currently working in Austin, indicating a niche market. The cost-of-living index is at 98.5, slightly below the national average of 100, affecting the overall purchasing power of salaries. For designers, opportunities for higher pay often lie with larger tech firms like FAANG or established digital product agencies, which tend to pay top dollar, especially for specialized skills in areas like design systems or research. The variability in compensation can stem from multiple factors, including a designer’s portfolio strength, the company’s tier—FAANG companies typically pay more than non-tech firms—and the specific design specialty. To maximize earnings in this environment, UX designers should focus on building a robust portfolio that showcases leading projects and continuously developing skills in high-demand areas, while also exploring roles that offer both competitive salaries and equity options.
More salary data for Austin, MN:
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 $54,501 for ux designersin the Austin 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 Austin 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