UX designers earn a national median of $98,580 per year — a strong six-figure salary that puts you solidly in the middle of the US income distribution. But high-pay tech hubs like California and New York also have high taxes. Here's what UX designers actually take home after taxes in every state.
UX Designer Take-Home Pay by State (2026)
| State | Median Wage | Take-Home / Year | Take-Home / Mo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $131,840 | $96,700 | $8,058 |
| Texas | $99,840 | $71,800 | $5,983 |
| Florida | $89,840 | $64,800 | $5,400 |
| Nevada | $90,840 | $65,400 | $5,450 |
| California | $132,840 | $87,400 | $7,283 |
| New York | $125,840 | $80,900 | $6,742 |
| Colorado | $106,840 | $75,200 | $6,267 |
| Oregon | $111,840 | $74,900 | $6,242 |
| Virginia | $111,840 | $78,600 | $6,550 |
| Georgia | $95,840 | $69,200 | $5,767 |
Washington vs. California: The Remote Work Arbitrage
Washington state pays UX designers a median of $131,840 — nearly identical to California's $132,840. But Washington has no state income tax, while California tops out at 13.3%. A UX designer earning the Washington median takes home roughly $9,300 more per year than the equivalent California salary, even before factoring in cost of living.
For remote workers who can choose their state of tax residency, this difference compounds significantly over a career.
UX vs. Software Developer: Who Takes Home More?
Software developers earn a national median of $130,160 vs. $98,580 for UX designers — a $31,580 gap on paper. After taxes in Texas, a software developer takes home roughly $94,800 vs. $71,800 for a UX designer. In both cases, no-tax states significantly improve the outcome.
Compare UX designer vs. software developer take-home pay in every state.
UX Designer vs Software Developer →