UX Designer Salary in Kearney, NE: $55,061 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Kearney, NE earns a median $55,061/year (≈ $26.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $60,176 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in 2026 is $55,061, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320. This reflects a broader trend where design roles at FAANG companies and high-tier firms offer much higher compensation than local agencies and in-house positions. The full salary range in Kearney showcases considerable variability, spanning from $31,936 at the lower end to $85,345 at the upper end, indicating that salaries can vary widely based on factors such as company type and the complexity of design projects. As most of the employment in this field comprises only nine UX designers currently, the local job market reveals a niche yet promising arena for design professionals, shaped heavily by regional economic conditions and the unique needs of Kearney's businesses.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($72,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,936 | $15.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,325 | $19.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,061 | $26.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,479 | $33.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,345 | $41.03 |
Median Salary Position
33.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,409 (2026 est.). At $55,061, the local median is 33.92% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney UX Designer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $55,061/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,177 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.92% less |
UX Designers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $55,061 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.92% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $57,177.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney 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.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $55,061 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,176 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,596
2025 BLS Actual
$51,546
2026 Current Est.
$55,061
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Kearney (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,596 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,257 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,617 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,546 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,061 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,817 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $39,596 (2021) to $51,546 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,221 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $31,936 – $40,325 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,325 – $55,061 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,061 – $70,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,479 – $85,345 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Kearney
In terms of the local employment environment, the very structure of the Kearney market influences UX designer salary dynamics. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, earning power is amplified in this region, as lower living expenses can boost take-home pay considerably. Among the different employer types, in-house teams at non-tech companies tend to offer competitive salaries but generally don't match the salaries of top-tier tech firms. The variance between the lowest and highest compensation indicates that specialized skills—particularly in research-heavy roles or those involving robust portfolios showcasing widely used applications—can fetch premium pay. Recognizing the different pathways to compensation can help local designers strategize for higher earnings, from developing a versatile portfolio to incorporating management skills that can elevate their career trajectory within the Kearney job market.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
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 $51,546 for ux designersin the Kearney 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 Kearney 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