As of July 01, 2026, the average hourly rate for a UI Designer I in the United States is $37, which translates to an annual salary of about $76,745.
However, the hourly wage can vary significantly based on several factors. Here’s a detailed look at the typical pay range per hour:
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A UI Designer I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a UI Designer I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| UI Designer I | 0-2 years | $76,745 |
| UI Designer/Developer II | 2-4 years | $88,331 |
| UI Designer/Developer III | 4-7 years | $113,561 |
| UI Designer/Developer IV | 7+ years | $137,408 |
| UI Designer/Developer V | 7-10 years | $156,557 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract UI Designer Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Collaboration | 4.75% |
| User Interface | 2.86% |
| CSS | 2.24% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Influencing
|
$82,117 |
7%
|
|
Storytelling
|
$81,350 |
6%
|
|
Python
|
$81,350 |
6%
|
|
Products and Services
|
$81,350 |
6%
|
|
Alignment
|
$79,815 |
4%
|
|
JavaScript
|
$79,815 |
4%
|
UI Designer I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $85,839. While startup companies pay approximate $72,594.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $72,594 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $76,779 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $82,894 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $85,839 |
For UI Designer I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 45% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Financial Services and Biotechnology sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, UI Designer positions in Retail & Wholesale or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view UI Designer I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Financial Services | $95,931 | $46.0 | 25% |
| Biotechnology | $92,094 | $44.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $88,257 | $42.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $84,420 | $41.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $84,420 | $41.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a UI Designer I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
Last Updated on July 01, 2026Salaries for a UI Designer I can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $77,007 in 2023 to around $76,918 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of UI Designer I salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
View More
|
| 2023 | $77,007 |
| 2024 | $77,617 |
| 2025 | $76,918 |
| 2026 |
View More
|
| 2027 |
View More
|
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The Financial Services industry offers the highest average compensation for UI Designer I roles, with salaries approximately 25% above the market median.
Creates visually appealing, user-friendly interfaces that elevate experiences across web and mobile platforms. Translates concepts into intuitive layouts and cohesive design systems. Ensures brand alignment, consistency, and strong usability with a refined visual balance. Develops wireframes, prototypes, and final design assets while continuously testing and iterating based on user feedback and emerging design trends. Requires a bachelor's degree. Typically reports to a manager. Work is closely managed. Works on projects/matters of limited complexity in a support role. Typically requires 0-2 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Collaboration: Works cooperatively and shares ideas with coworkers and managers to achieve common goals and objectives.
User Interface: The user interface (UI) is the point of human-computer interaction and communication in a device. This can include display screens, keyboards, a mouse and the appearance of a desktop.
CSS: Cascading Style Sheets is a style sheet language used for describing the presentation of a document written in a markup language such as HTML or XML. CSS is a cornerstone technology of the World Wide Web, alongside HTML and JavaScript.
Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.
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