UX Designer Salary in Portsmouth, NH: $64,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Portsmouth, NH earns a median $64,338/year (≈ $30.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Portsmouth's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $59,961 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer salary in Portsmouth, NH, is projected to reach a median of $64,338. This figure represents a significant contrast when compared to the national average of $83,320, revealing a local compensation climate that is approximately 22.78% lower. Within the Portsmouth market, salaries for ux designers range from $37,315 at the lower decile to $99,724 at the upper echelon, reflecting varied opportunities based on experience, expertise, and specific employer characteristics. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living factors, which can be influential in shaping compensation expectations within the region. The post-2023 tech layoffs have also transformed the job market, compelling many skilled professionals to reassess opportunities, thereby enhancing the competitive nature of ux design roles in Portsmouth.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($84,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,315 | $17.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,324 | $22.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,338 | $30.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,352 | $39.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,724 | $47.94 |
Median Salary Position
22.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portsmouth
In Portsmouth, NH, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,409 (2026 est.). At $64,338, the local median is 22.78% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portsmouth: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portsmouth UX Designer Pay Compares
Portsmouth median: $64,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portsmouth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $67,018 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -22.78% less |
UX Designers in Portsmouth, NH earn a median of $64,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.78% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.00% below the New Hampshire state average of $67,018.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portsmouth has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Portsmouth, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,338 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,961 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$77,740
2025 BLS Actual
$60,230
2026 Current Est.
$64,338
2021–2027 Growth
+-11.6%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Portsmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $77,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,230 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,726 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portsmouth metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -22.5% from $77,740 (2021) to $60,230 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,726 by 2027 — a total increase of $-9,014 (-11.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portsmouth 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) | $37,315 – $46,324 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,324 – $64,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,338 – $82,352 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,352 – $99,724 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Portsmouth
With five ux designers currently employed in Portsmouth, the local job market's small size coupled with a cost-of-living index of 107.3 indicates that expenses can impact take-home pay. Those in the ux designer pay landscape may find that larger tech companies such as FAANG, along with their competitive equity packages, often represent the highest-paying employers. However, there’s a diverse array of opportunities with digital product agencies and in-house teams, which can offer varying levels of compensation depending on the project scope and company structure. This pay variance is driven by multiple factors, including the company's tier, the specific role within ux—from research to visual design—and overall portfolio strength, with high-impact designs typically commanding a premium. For those seeking to maximize compensation in Portsmouth, enhancing portfolios with notable projects in Figma, exploring opportunities with tech giants, and considering management positions within established firms could lead to higher earnings.
More salary data for Portsmouth, NH:
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 $60,230 for ux designersin the Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth 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