UX Designer Salary in Asheville, NC: $64,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Asheville, NC earns a median $64,517/year (≈ $31.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Asheville's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.5), that paycheck buys what $66,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Asheville, NC, anticipates a median annual pay of $64,517 for UX designers, demonstrating a significant response from the local market following the post-2023 layoffs that affected the tech industry broadly. With salaries ranging from $44,111 at the 10th percentile to $140,658 at the 90th percentile, Asheville’s UX pay scale reflects the continuing demand for skilled designers as the city adapts to an evolving economic climate. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys indicates that, despite a lower compensation level compared to the national median of $83,320, Asheville offers competitive opportunities within a growing landscape of digital design jobs. The city’s unique charm and lower cost of living further enhance the attractiveness of positions in this field, providing a favorable environment for both local and relocating talent.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,111 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,850 | $24.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,517 | $31.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,886 | $49.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,658 | $67.63 |
Median Salary Position
22.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Asheville
In Asheville, NC, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $96,547 (2026 est.). At $64,517, the local median is 22.57% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Asheville: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Asheville UX Designer Pay Compares
Asheville median: $64,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Asheville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $83,320 | -22.57% less |
UX Designers in Asheville, NC earn a median of $64,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.57% lower than the national median of $83,320.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Asheville has a cost of living 3.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Asheville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.506 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $64,517 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$49,080
2025 BLS Actual
$60,398
2026 Current Est.
$64,517
2021–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Asheville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,270 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,398 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,917 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Asheville metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 23.1% from $49,080 (2021) to $60,398 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,837 (40.42%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Asheville 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) | $44,111 – $50,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,850 – $64,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,517 – $103,886 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,886 – $140,658 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Asheville
Asheville’s job market for UX designers is relatively stable, with around 60 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 96.506 indicates that life in Asheville is more affordable than many other cities, which allows for greater purchasing power even with lower salaries compared to national averages. Among local employers, tech companies often pay the most, especially those with established reputations, while boutique agencies still provide valuable experience across diverse projects. Differences in pay largely arise from factors such as the tier of the company, specialty areas (like research versus product design), and the strength of designers' portfolios, particularly with heavily trafficked apps. To enhance earning potential in Asheville, candidates should focus on building robust portfolios, pursuing roles in higher-tier tech firms, and considering contract work to leverage varied experiences in the dynamic design landscape.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
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 $60,398 for ux designersin the Asheville 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