UX Designer Salary in Radford, VA: $38,655 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Radford, VA earns a median $38,655/year (≈ $18.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Radford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $37,456 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 40.1% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer salary in Radford, Virginia, reflects the city’s burgeoning market, with a median annual pay of $38,655. This figure falls significantly below the national median of $83,320, illustrating a stark contrast for professionals in this field. The salary range spans from $22,419 at the 10th percentile to $59,915 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the diverse earning potential depending on experience and specialty. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data, indicate a growing demand for design talent in Radford, where the local job market currently employs six ux designers. As the industry continues to evolve, understanding these financial dynamics is essential for those considering a career in UX design in this region.
About the Radford Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22,419 | $10.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29,067 | $13.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $38,655 | $18.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,478 | $23.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,915 | $28.81 |
Median Salary Position
53.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Radford
In Radford, VA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,496 (2026 est.). At $38,655, the local median is 53.61% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Radford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Radford UX Designer Pay Compares
Radford median: $38,655/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Radford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,532 | -40.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -53.61% less |
UX Designers in Radford, VA earn a median of $38,655 per year (2026 est.), which is 53.61% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 40.10% below the Virginia state average of $64,532.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Radford has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Radford, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $38,655 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $37,456 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$27,798
2025 BLS Actual
$36,187
2026 Current Est.
$38,655
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Radford (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27,798 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,964 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,287 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,217 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,187 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38,655 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,291 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Radford metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $27,798 (2021) to $36,187 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,291 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,493 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford 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) | $22,419 – $29,067 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $29,067 – $38,655 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $38,655 – $49,478 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,478 – $59,915 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Radford
In assessing the local job market, the cost of living index in Radford sits at 103.2, slightly above the national average, which affects take-home pay and purchasing power for ux designers. While the area has positioned itself to attract talent, salaries indicate that many employers are not providing competitive compensation when compared to larger tech hubs. Among local employers, those in startup design teams and boutique consulting firms typically offer higher pay to attract quality talent. Various factors contribute to the substantial differences in ux designer pay in Radford, including company type, specialization in user research versus product design, and the overall strength of candidates' portfolios. To maximize salary prospects, designers should focus on building a robust portfolio and considering positions with firms that offer equity compensation or those that provide opportunities for advancement into management roles, thus navigating the trade-off between compensation and job responsibilities effectively.
More salary data for Radford, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can ux designers make $100K in Radford?
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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 $36,187 for ux designersin the Radford 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 Radford 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