UX Designer Salary in New York, United States
In New York, mid‑level UX designers have a median salary of $79,500 a year. High rent and transportation costs mean many professionals negotiate bonuses to offset living expenses.
Salary by experience level
Entry-level (0-2 years)
Salary range (per year)
$57,500 to $70,000
Average (per year)
$63,750
Manufacturing firms and service providers in the area hire recent graduates.
Mid-level (3-5 years)
Salary range (per year)
$70,500 to $88,000
Average (per year)
$79,500
Mid-level designers may support regional businesses or work remotely.
Senior (6-9 years)
Salary range (per year)
$90,000 to $107,500
Average (per year)
$98,000
Senior designers may work with healthcare systems, tech startups, or remotely.
Principal/Lead (10+ years)
Salary range (per year)
$109,000+
Principal UX designers may consult for multiple companies or lead distributed teams.
Hourly Rates
For freelance or contract work, hourly rates are typically higher than equivalent salaried positions.
Junior
$30 - $40
per hour
Mid-level
$41 - $56
per hour
Senior
$57 - $75
per hour
Nationally, UX designers earn around $70,000, so New York's median sits roughly $9,500 above the average. That gap reflects the city's cost of living.