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2026 Salary Data — Nashville, TN
Updated April 28, 2026

UX Designer Salary in Nashville: $98K Median

UX Designers in Nashville, TN earn between $70K and $165K per year.

That's +0% above the US national median of $98,000 for this role.

Quick Answer

As of April 2026, the median UX Designer salary in Nashville, TN is $98,000 per year — +0% above the US national median of $98,000. Salaries range from $70,000 (entry, 25th percentile) to $165,000 (90th percentile). UX Designers in Nashville earned approximately $22,273 in 2025, representing 340.0% year-over-year growth.

Median
$98,000
+340.0% YoY · $8,167/mo
Entry
$75,000
0–2 years
Experienced
$140,000
5+ years
Top 10%
$165,000
Senior/lead
UX Designer Salary — Nashville vs Nearby
Nashville
$98K
Memphis
$86K
+14% vs Nashville
Fresno
$93K
+5% vs Nashville
Colorado Springs
$98K
+0% vs Nashville

Free ATS scan · Nashville employers · Results in 60 seconds

About UX Designers in Nashville

UX designers create intuitive user experiences through research, wireframing, prototyping, and iterative testing.

Core Responsibilities

  • User research
  • Wireframing and prototyping
  • Usability testing
  • Design systems
  • Cross-functional collaboration

Education & Certifications

Typical path: Bachelor's degree (or strong portfolio)

In-demand certifications

Google UX DesignNielsen Norman GroupInteraction Design Foundation

Nashville Job Market

Healthcare capital with booming music, tech, and tourism industries.

Population
689K
Cost of Living
105
vs 100 US avg
Unemployment
3.4%
Median Home
$460K

Top Industries in Nashville

HealthcareMusic/EntertainmentTechFinanceTourism

Top Employers Hiring UX Designers

Major employers active in Nashville or hiring remotely from this metro.

Google
Apple
Meta
Airbnb
Spotify
Netflix
Adobe
Figma

All major employers use ATS software.

Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, and iCIMS auto-screen 75% of resumes before a human ever sees them. Scan your resume free to see your match rate.

2026 Hot Skills & Resume Keywords

Skills that command salary premiums and pass ATS keyword filters.

Hottest 2026 Skills

These appear in the highest-paying UX Designer listings.

FigmaAI-assisted designDesign systemsUser researchAccessibility

ATS Resume Keywords

Include these naturally throughout your resume.

Figmauser researchwireframingprototypingusability testingdesign systemsaccessibilityA/B testing
Career Outlook
+8% Growth Projected (2024-2034)

UX roles growing 8% with strong demand at SaaS and enterprise companies. Senior/staff UX designers earning $200K+.

UX Designer Salary Breakdown — Nashville

PeriodEntry (25th)Median (50th)Top (90th)
Annual$70,000$98,000$165,000
Monthly$5,833$8,167$13,750
Weekly$1,346$1,885$3,173
Hourly$34$47$79

Based on 2080 working hours/year. Local figures derived from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics national median ($98,000) adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×, sourced from BEA Regional Price Parities).

UX Designer Take-Home Pay in Nashville

After federal, state and FICA taxes — single filer, standard deduction.

Net Annual Take-Home
$77,241
Per month$6,437
Biweekly paycheck$2,971
Effective tax rate21.2%

Tax Breakdown on $98,000

Gross salary$98,000
Federal income tax−$13,262
Tennessee state tax−$0
FICA (Social Security + Medicare)−$7,497
Take-home (net)$77,241

Estimates assume single filer, standard deduction ($14,600 for 2026), no 401(k)/HSA/dependents. Actual take-home varies with deductions, dependents, and benefits elections. Not tax advice.

UX Designer Salary by Experience — Nashville

Career-stage progression for UX Designers in Nashville.

ExperienceAnnual Salary
0–1 yr$69,000
2–3 yr$75,000
4–6 yr$107,500
7–10 yr$140,000
11–15 yr$165,200
15+ yr$152,500

Curve derived from BLS percentile data adjusted for Nashville's 1.00× cost-of-living multiplier. Highlighted row = 7–10 year experienced level.

Year-Over-Year Trend

+340.0% vs 2025

2025 median:$22,273
2026 median:$98,000
Change:+$75,727

Design sector growth driven by demand for Figma and AI-assisted design.

Is This A Good Salary?

Solid above median

Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income.

COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$93,333
Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.

How to Negotiate Your UX Designer Salary in Nashville

Walk-away anchor: $87,500 (offers below this are below market for Nashville).

Leverage Points

  • Portfolio impact: ship metrics, before/after redesigns, A/B test wins
  • Design-systems leadership and tokens / Figma library ownership
  • Tech-adjacent skills (Figma plugins, code, AI tooling) raise compensation
  • Senior/staff/principal design ladders mirror engineering pay - cite them

Beyond Base Salary, Negotiate

RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladderAnnual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad)Software / Figma / Adobe license budgetConference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipendRemote-first flexibility

What To Say

"Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level."

Anchor on $140K–$165K for experienced roles, citing Nashville market data and your specific Figma/AI-assisted design expertise.

UX Designer Salary FAQ — Nashville

What is the average UX Designer salary in Nashville, TN?
The average UX Designer salary in Nashville is $98,000 per year as of April 2026 — $8,167/month, $1,885/week, or about $47/hour. Salaries range from $70,000 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $165,000 (experienced, 90th percentile). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics adjusted for Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier (1.00×).
Is $98,000 a good UX Designer salary in Nashville?
Solid above median. Real purchasing power lands comfortably above the national middle-class threshold once cost of living is factored in. Homeownership and meaningful retirement savings are achievable on a single income. Nashville's cost-of-living index is 105 (vs 100 nationally), giving $98,000 a real purchasing power of approximately $93,333 in national terms. Solidly middle-class on the median - manageable, but disciplined budgeting is needed to save aggressively or buy a home.
Can you live on $98,000 in Nashville?
Dual-income households support a comfortable family lifestyle. Single-earner families on the median may need to compromise on neighborhood, square footage, or college savings. Aim for 28-30% of pre-tax income on rent. The classic 30% rule still works here, though housing costs are creeping up faster than wages. For Nashville specifically (median home price $460,000), a $98,000 salary supports a comfortable lifestyle.
Is $98,000 enough for a single person in Nashville?
A single adult in Nashville typically needs ~$47,250 for a comfortable lifestyle (housing, food, transport, healthcare, modest savings). A $98,000 salary is well above that threshold — a single person can live comfortably with significant savings room.
Is $98,000 enough for a couple in Nashville?
A couple (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$75,600 for a comfortable lifestyle. A $98,000 salary as the sole household income is sufficient — enabling moderate housing, savings, and discretionary spending. Two earners at $98,000 each ($196,000 household) provides solid middle-class comfort.
Is $98,000 enough for a family of 4 in Nashville?
A family of 4 (one earner) in Nashville typically needs ~$115,500 for a comfortable middle-class lifestyle (housing for 4, childcare/school, food, healthcare, transport, savings). A $98,000 salary as the sole household income is below the comfortable threshold — most families need a second income or to live in cheaper suburbs/exurbs of Nashville. Childcare costs in Nashville typically run $16K-$29K per child per year.
What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Nashville?
On a $98,000 UX Designer salary in Nashville, TN, you take home approximately $77,241 per year ($6,437/month, $2,971 per biweekly paycheck) after taxes. Breakdown: federal $13,262, state $0, FICA $7,497. Effective tax rate: 21.2%. (Single filer, standard deduction, no other adjustments.)
How much do UX Designers in Nashville earn compared to the US average?
UX Designers in Nashville earn approximately 0% more than the US national median for this role ($98,000 nationally vs $98,000 in Nashville). However, Nashville's cost-of-living index of 105 means real purchasing power is approximately $93,333 when adjusted for local prices.
What does an entry-level UX Designer earn in Nashville?
Entry-level UX Designers in Nashville typically start at around $75,000 (0–2 years experience). With 5+ years, UX Designers earn $140,000 or more. Top earners (90th percentile) reach $165,000+, typically at senior or lead levels with specialized skills.
Did UX Designer salaries in Nashville increase in 2026?
Yes — UX Designer salaries in Nashville grew approximately 340.0% year-over-year, from $22,273 in 2025 to $98,000 in 2026 (+$75,727). This reflects the broader Design sector's compensation trend, driven by Figma and AI-assisted design demand.
What's the job outlook for UX Designers in Nashville?
UX roles growing 8% with strong demand at SaaS and enterprise companies. Senior/staff UX designers earning $200K+. Nashville's top industries include Healthcare, Music/Entertainment, Tech, and the metro's current unemployment rate is 3.4% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.
What skills are most in demand for UX Designers in 2026?
The hottest 2026 skills for UX Designers are: Figma, AI-assisted design, Design systems, User research, Accessibility. ATS systems specifically scan for these keywords. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — significantly improves your match rate with employers in Nashville.
Who are the top employers hiring UX Designers in Nashville?
Top employers hiring UX Designers in or near Nashville include: Google, Apple, Meta, Airbnb, Spotify, Netflix. Most use ATS software (Workday, Greenhouse, Taleo, iCIMS) to screen resumes — meaning your resume must be ATS-optimized to even get a human reader.
How do I negotiate a higher UX Designer salary in Nashville?
Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level. Key leverage points for Design negotiations: Portfolio impact: ship metrics, before/after redesigns, A/B test wins; Design-systems leadership and tokens / Figma library ownership; Tech-adjacent skills (Figma plugins, code, AI tooling) raise compensation. Beyond base salary, negotiate for: RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladder, Annual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad), Software / Figma / Adobe license budget, Conference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipend.
How can I increase my UX Designer salary in Nashville?
Three highest-leverage moves: (1) Add 2026's hot skills (Figma, AI-assisted design, Design systems) — they command 15-30% premiums. (2) Get a recognized certification (e.g., Google UX Design or Nielsen Norman Group). (3) Tailor your resume to each role's keywords — CVCraft's ATS scanner shows you exactly what's missing.
What education do I need to become a UX Designer in Nashville?
Bachelor's degree (or strong portfolio) is the typical path. However, Nashville's competitive market increasingly values demonstrable skills, portfolios, and certifications alongside (or in place of) traditional degrees — particularly for Design roles.

Methodology & Sources

UX Designer salary figures for Nashville are computed by adjusting the BLS national median ($98,000) by Nashville's cost-of-living multiplier of 1.00× — a composite of regional wage data and price parities. Year-over-year change (340.0%) reflects the Design sector's 2025-2026 wage growth per BLS Employment Cost Index trends. Last reviewed April 28, 2026.

Data Sources

Related Roles in Nashville

Product Manager →Graphic Designer →

UX Designer Salary in Other Cities

Phoenix, AZ$98KPhiladelphia, PA$102KFort Worth, TX$100KColumbus, OH$95KCharlotte, NC$100KMemphis, TN$86KMesa, AZ$96KColorado Springs, CO$98K

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