UX Designer Salary in Morgantown, WV: $116,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Morgantown, WV earns a median $116,279/year (≈ $55.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.5), that paycheck buys what $134,427 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the West Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of significant layoffs in the tech sector post-2023, Morgantown has shown resilience in its UX design job market. Projected data for 2026 indicates a median annual salary of $116,279 for UX designers in the area, which reflects a robust local scene compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range in Morgantown spans from $67,442 at the 10th percentile to $180,232 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a diverse spectrum of compensation influenced by factors such as experience and employer type. These figures, based on 2025 BLS estimates projected to 2026, demonstrate a competitive landscape for UX designer pay in Morgantown, WV, showcasing how local demand for design expertise has maintained an upward trajectory amidst broader economic challenges.
About the Morgantown Market
Salary estimated from West Virginia average ($111,450) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $67,442 | $32.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,341 | $40.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,279 | $55.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $148,837 | $71.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $180,232 | $86.65 |
Median Salary Position
39.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $112,790 (2026 est.). At $116,279, the local median is 39.56% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown UX Designer Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $116,279/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $121,504 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | +39.56% more |
UX Designers in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $116,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 39.56% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 4.30% below the West Virginia state average of $121,504.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 13.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 86.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $116,279 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,427 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.61% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$83,619
2025 BLS Actual
$108,855
2026 Current Est.
$116,279
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Morgantown (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $83,619 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,126 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,296 | Actual |
| 2025 | $108,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $124,209 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $83,619 (2021) to $108,855 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $124,209 by 2027 — a total increase of $40,590 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $67,442 – $84,341 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,341 – $116,279 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,279 – $148,837 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $148,837 – $180,232 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Morgantown
Despite having only eight UX designers currently employed in the area, the compensation potential in Morgantown is notable, especially when considering the local cost of living index of 86.5. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power of designers by allowing them to stretch their salaries further compared to higher-cost markets. Top-paying opportunities often come from tech companies and larger firms that can offer competitive salaries and benefits, particularly in roles that focus on product design or design systems. Factors influencing the variance in pay include company hierarchy, the designer's portfolio strength, specialty focus, or whether they are in management roles. Designers looking to maximize their pay should consider building a strong portfolio that highlights experience with widely-used tools like Figma or targeting roles within established tech companies, which tend to offer more attractive compensation packages than smaller agencies or freelance positions.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
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 $108,855 for ux designersin the Morgantown 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 Morgantown 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