UX Designer Salary in Cape Girardeau, MO: $54,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Cape Girardeau, MO earns a median $54,318/year (≈ $26.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Cape Girardeau's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $60,623 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cape Girardeau, Missouri, the projected annual salary for a UX designer in 2026 is $54,318, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $83,320. The local salary range for this profession spans from $31,504 at the 10th percentile to $84,193 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight a career environment where opportunities are modestly compensated relative to larger markets. Cape Girardeau's UX designer pay indicates a challenging trade-off for professionals considering whether to pursue a career with tech giants versus local firms, as salaries peak in specific niche markets while remaining constrained overall.
About the Cape Girardeau Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,504 | $15.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,267 | $19.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,318 | $26.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,527 | $33.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,193 | $40.47 |
Median Salary Position
34.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cape Girardeau
In Cape Girardeau, MO, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,689 (2026 est.). At $54,318, the local median is 34.81% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cape Girardeau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cape Girardeau UX Designer Pay Compares
Cape Girardeau median: $54,318/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cape Girardeau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $55,998 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -34.81% less |
UX Designers in Cape Girardeau, MO earn a median of $54,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.81% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.00% below the Missouri state average of $55,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cape Girardeau has a cost of living 10.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cape Girardeau, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $54,318 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,623 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,062
2025 BLS Actual
$50,850
2026 Current Est.
$54,318
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Cape Girardeau (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,062 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,100 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,850 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,022 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cape Girardeau metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $39,062 (2021) to $50,850 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,022 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,960 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cape Girardeau 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) | $31,504 – $40,267 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,267 – $54,318 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,318 – $69,527 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,527 – $84,193 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Cape Girardeau
Analyzing the job market reveals that Cape Girardeau hosts six employed UX designers, pointing to a localized, albeit competitive, professional environment. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, designers may find their take-home pay to stretch further than in major cities, yet the lower salaries remain a pressing concern. Local consultants and in-house product design teams may command varying compensation levels, especially in comparison to larger tech firms. Factors contributing to disparities in pay include the prestige of the company, design specialty, portfolio strength, and career track choices. Those aiming for higher compensation could maximize their potential by focusing on in-demand skills such as design systems and leveraging industry-standard tools like Figma, enhancing their marketability within Cape Girardeau's evolving design scene.
More salary data for Cape Girardeau, MO:
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 $50,850 for ux designersin the Cape Girardeau 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 Cape Girardeau 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