As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead UX Designer in the United States is $119,008 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $57.
However, a Lead UX Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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A Lead UX Designer'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, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Lead UX Designer'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Lead UX Designer | $114,786 |
| Intermediate Level Lead UX Designer | $115,756 |
| Senior Level Lead UX Designer | $117,575 |
| Specialist Level Lead UX Designer | $120,760 |
| Expert Level Lead UX Designer | $122,862 |
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 Lead UX Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Demanded Skills for the Role:
| Skills | Demand Percentage |
|---|---|
| Problem Solving | 6.67% |
| B2B | 1.67% |
| Data Transmission | 1.67% |
| Skill | Salary | Salary % Increase |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Transfer
|
$136,859 |
15%
|
|
Biotechnology
|
$134,479 |
13%
|
|
XML
|
$133,289 |
12%
|
|
Word Processing Software
|
$130,909 |
10%
|
|
Clinical Trial
|
$129,719 |
9%
|
|
Business To Business
|
$126,148 |
6%
|
Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Lead UX Designers enter the field with a Associate's Degree degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.
According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Lead UX Designer with a Associate's Degree is between $113,500 and $119,768).
Lead UX Designer Salaries by Degree Level
| Degree Level | % of user with this level of education |
|---|---|
| No Diploma | 1.3% |
| High School | 3.0% |
| Associates | 4.3% |
| Bachelors | 57.9% |
| Masters | 30.2% |
| Doctorate | 3.4% |
Understanding how a Lead UX Designer'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 January 01, 2026Salaries for a Lead UX Designer can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $118,268 in 2023 to around $117,785 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Lead UX Designer salary trends, .
| Year | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 2022 |
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|
| 2023 | $118,268 |
| 2024 | $118,360 |
| 2025 | $117,785 |
| 2026 |
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|
| 2027 |
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|
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