UX Designer Salary in Richmond, VA: $51,001 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Richmond, VA earns a median $51,001/year (≈ $24.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $52,117 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.9% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the estimated ux designer salary in Richmond, Virginia is projected to be $51,001, a figure that highlights the city's competitive landscape amid the aftermath of recent layoff activities in tech design roles. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, from a low of $35,170 at the 10th percentile to a high of $86,741 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the broad spectrum of pay available to ux designers and reflects the demand for design talent, particularly as the local market adjusts and absorbs professionals who were affected by the post-2023 layoffs. Richmond's job market is adapting, indicating a resilient community of UX professionals navigating through a transformed industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,170 | $16.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,130 | $19.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,001 | $24.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,693 | $33.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,741 | $41.70 |
Median Salary Position
38.79% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,571 (2026 est.). At $51,001, the local median is 38.79% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond UX Designer Pay Compares
Richmond median: $51,001/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $64,477 | -20.90% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -38.79% less |
UX Designers in Richmond, VA earn a median of $51,001 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.79% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 20.90% below the Virginia state average of $64,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $51,001 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,117 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$66,810
2025 BLS Actual
$47,745
2026 Current Est.
$51,001
2021–2027 Growth
+-18.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Richmond (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $66,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,745 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,001 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,479 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -28.5% from $66,810 (2021) to $47,745 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,479 by 2027 — a total increase of $-12,331 (-18.46%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $35,170 – $40,130 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,130 – $51,001 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,001 – $70,693 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,693 – $86,741 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Richmond
Richmond's employment climate currently supports around 230 ux designers, exhibiting a robust local job market. With a cost of living index at 97.858, professionals in the area may find their purchasing power favorable compared to national averages. Employers that typically pay higher salaries include established tech companies like Microsoft and Adobe, which often offer equity and comprehensive benefits. The variation in ux designer pay in Richmond VA can be attributed to several factors, including the tier of the company, the specific design specialty (with research roles often commanding higher salaries), and the strength of an individual's portfolio. In a market like Richmond, where some designers may be transitioning from agencies to in-house teams, focusing on developing specialized skills in design systems and showcasing successful project outcomes through tools like Figma can be key strategies for maximizing compensation in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
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 $47,745 for ux designersin the Richmond 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