UX Designer Salary in Lincoln, NE: $51,683 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Lincoln, NE earns a median $51,683/year (≈ $24.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $56,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual compensation for UX designers in Lincoln is $51,683, significantly lower than the national median of $83,320. This reflects the local market dynamics where salaries range from $34,898 at the lower end to $77,912 at the high end, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. The decision between working for a tech giant, a digital product agency, or an in-house team greatly influences potential earnings. Typically, positions within high-profile tech companies tend to offer higher salaries paired with equity and stock options, compared to the pay offered by agencies or non-tech employers. Such contrasts in pay can shape a designer's career trajectory and lifestyle, making Lincoln's unique market aspects crucial to understanding compensation for UX designers in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,898 | $16.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,444 | $19.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,683 | $24.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,774 | $31.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,912 | $37.45 |
Median Salary Position
37.97% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,014 (2026 est.). At $51,683, the local median is 37.97% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln UX Designer Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $51,683/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $57,171 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -37.97% less |
UX Designers in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $51,683 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.97% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 9.60% below the Nebraska state average of $57,171.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $51,683 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$48,310
2025 BLS Actual
$48,383
2026 Current Est.
$51,683
2021–2027 Growth
+14.3%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Lincoln (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $48,310 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,130 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,683 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,207 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 0.2% from $48,310 (2021) to $48,383 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,207 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,897 (14.28%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $34,898 – $41,444 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,444 – $51,683 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,683 – $64,774 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,774 – $77,912 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Lincoln
In Lincoln, the job market for UX designers appears robust, with around 190 professionals currently employed in this role. However, the cost-of-living index of 91.581 reveals that living expenses are relatively lower than the national average, affecting take-home income and purchasing power. Tech companies like Microsoft and Adobe are among the higher-paying employers, followed by established design agencies, while in-house positions at traditional companies generally provide lower pay scales. The variance in compensation stems from several factors: the tier of the employing company, design specialization, the strength of an individual's portfolio, and the potential for equity compensation, particularly at tech firms. Designers looking to maximize their earnings in Lincoln should focus on building a strong portfolio, considering contract roles, or exploring opportunities in high-paying tech environments, particularly as the industry's demand for specialized skills continues to grow.
More salary data for Lincoln, 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 $48,383 for ux designersin the Lincoln 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-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