UX Designer Salary in Montana: $119,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Montana's 7 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $119,510/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Montana sits at BEA RPP 96.2 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $124,231 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Billings ($116,002), Great Falls ($112,199), Bozeman ($110,702).
In 2026, UX designer salaries in Montana are projected to average $119,510, significantly higher than the national median of $83,320, reflecting a 43.4% increase over the national average. Billings leads as the highest-paying city at $123,913, while Kalispell is the lowest at $114,747, resulting in a salary gap of $9,166. This difference can be attributed to variations in cost of living, the concentration of tech companies, and the demand for skilled designers in each area. Montana has no specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, but understanding local market needs and user preferences is crucial. The projected annual growth rate for this profession in the state is 6.82%, indicating a healthy demand for skilled professionals. Key cities driving this demand include Great Falls with a salary of $119,851, Bozeman at $118,252, Missoula at $117,519, and Butte at $116,786. The overall job market outlook for UX designers in Montana appears strong, with an emphasis on user-centered design in various sectors including tech, healthcare, and outdoor recreation, which aligns with the state's unique economic landscape. As businesses increasingly recognize the value of user experience, professionals in this field can expect continued opportunities for growth and advancement in the coming years.
Montana UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Montana: $66,553 (lowest entry-level) to $192,066 (highest top earner)
Montana vs National Average
Montana ux designers earn 43.43% more than the national median (+$36,190/year difference).
Montana UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Montana range from $69,315 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $185,240 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $119,510. The Montana median is $36,190 above the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $57.45/hr. Approximately 86 ux designers are employed across 7 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$85,943
2025 BLS Actual
$111,880
2026 Current Est.
$119,510
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Montana (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $85,943 | Actual |
| 2022 | $89,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $106,624 | Actual |
| 2025 | $111,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $127,660 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montana metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $85,943 (2021) to $111,880 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $127,660 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,717 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montana 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Montana
Lowest Paying Cities in Montana
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Montana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Montana cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Billings | $123,913 | 96.2 | $128,808 |
| Great Falls | $119,851 | 96.2 | $124,585 |
| Bozeman | $118,252 | 96.2 | $122,923 |
| Missoula | $117,519 | 96.2 | $122,161 |
| Butte | $116,786 | 96.2 | $121,399 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Montana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,315 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $119,510 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $185,240 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Montana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 7 Cities in Montana
More Montana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Montana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Montana?
How does Montana ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Montana?
How many ux designers are employed in Montana?
Which Montana city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across Montana. State averages are employment-weighted across 7 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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