UX Designer Salary in University Park, TX: $69,474 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in University Park, TX earns a median $69,474/year (≈ $33.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in University Park's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $72,369 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, an experienced UX designer in University Park, Texas, can expect a median annual salary of $69,474, reflecting a slight dip of approximately 16.62% compared to the national median of $83,320. Local compensation extends from a lower threshold of $40,295 (P10) to a high of $107,684 (P90), indicating significant variability in pay based on experience, company type, and specific roles within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic factors, present a clear picture of the earning potential for UX professionals in this affluent area. The choice between pursuing a career in a large tech company or a smaller design agency will be crucial, as these paths lead to distinctly different salary peaks.
About the University Park Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($101,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,295 | $19.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,021 | $24.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,474 | $33.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,927 | $42.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,684 | $51.78 |
Median Salary Position
16.62% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University Park
In University Park, TX, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,389 (2026 est.). At $69,474, the local median is 16.62% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University Park: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University Park UX Designer Pay Compares
University Park median: $69,474/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University Park Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $73,362 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -16.62% less |
UX Designers in University Park, TX earn a median of $69,474 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.62% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.30% below the Texas state average of $73,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University Park has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
University Park, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $69,474 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,369 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$49,960
2025 BLS Actual
$65,038
2026 Current Est.
$69,474
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in University Park (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $49,960 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,055 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,624 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,588 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,038 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,474 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,212 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the University Park metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $49,960 (2021) to $65,038 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,212 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,252 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University Park 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) | $40,295 – $50,021 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,021 – $69,474 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,474 – $88,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,927 – $107,684 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in University Park
On the local front, there are only 5 UX designers currently employed in University Park, suggesting a tight-knit community with limited competition but also limited opportunities. The city's cost-of-living index sits at 96, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can positively affect the real purchasing power of salaries in this bracket. Companies like Adobe and Microsoft may pay the highest salaries, particularly for specialized roles that focus on research and design systems. The disparity in pay primarily stems from factors such as the tier of the employer, job scope, and individual portfolio strength. Those aiming to maximize their earnings in this market should cultivate broader skill sets encompassing both management and design, while also remaining adaptable amid ongoing shifts in the tech landscape post-2023.
More salary data for University Park, TX:
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 $65,038 for ux designersin the University Park 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 University Park 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