UX Designer Salary in Hastings, NE: $55,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Hastings, NE earns a median $55,785/year (≈ $26.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Hastings's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,967 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Hastings, NE, the UX designer salary is projected to reach a median of $55,785 in 2026, with a salary range spanning from $32,355 at the 10th percentile to $86,467 at the 90th percentile. This compensation package reflects significant discrepancies compared to the national median of $83,320, indicating a difference of over 33%. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and they illuminate the local job market for UX designers, which can vary based on career trajectory. Many designers in Hastings face the decision between the technical proficiency required for an individual contributor (IC) role versus the management track, each offering distinct peak salaries in this small but growing market.
About the Hastings Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($72,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,355 | $15.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,165 | $19.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,785 | $26.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,404 | $34.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,467 | $41.57 |
Median Salary Position
33.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hastings
In Hastings, NE, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,112 (2026 est.). At $55,785, the local median is 33.05% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hastings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hastings UX Designer Pay Compares
Hastings median: $55,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hastings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,156 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.05% less |
UX Designers in Hastings, NE earn a median of $55,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.05% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.40% below the Nebraska state average of $57,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hastings has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hastings, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $55,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,967 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,116
2025 BLS Actual
$52,223
2026 Current Est.
$55,785
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Hastings (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,798 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,453 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,589 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hastings metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $40,116 (2021) to $52,223 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,589 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,473 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hastings 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) | $32,355 – $40,165 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,165 – $55,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,785 – $71,404 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,404 – $86,467 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Hastings
The local job market for UX designers in Hastings includes just five professionals currently employed in this field, suggesting a relatively small talent pool. Given the cost of living index at 91.5, designers often find that their effective take-home pay allows for a comfortable lifestyle, albeit with certain constraints compared to larger urban centers. Employers in Hastings that may offer competitive salaries include digital product agencies or in-house teams at non-tech companies that prioritize design. Factors influencing salary variations encompass company tier, specialization, and an individual’s portfolio quality. To enhance income potential, designers should focus on building robust portfolios that demonstrate experience in heavily-trafficked applications and consider developing skills in areas like design systems. These strategies can help maximize earning potential within the Hastings UX job market.
More salary data for Hastings, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $52,223 for ux designersin the Hastings 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 Hastings 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