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Create CVIf you’re searching “UI designer salary US” or asking how much a UI designer makes in the United States, you’re likely evaluating your career path, comparing offers, or preparing for salary negotiation.
Here’s the reality: UI Designer salaries vary widely depending on whether you’re treated as a visual designer, product designer, or revenue-impacting UX partner. Two UI Designers with the same title can differ by $70,000+ in total compensation based on portfolio quality, product impact, and company type.
This guide breaks down real US salary ranges, total compensation structures, recruiter insights, and negotiation strategies so you understand exactly what you can earn—and how to increase it.
Entry-level (0–2 years): $65,000 – $85,000
Mid-level (2–5 years): $85,000 – $115,000
Senior UI Designer (5–10 years): $110,000 – $145,000
Lead / Principal UI Designer: $135,000 – $180,000+
Minimum: $60,000
Average: $105,000
$160,000+
UI Designers in product-driven companies often earn significantly more due to bonuses and equity.
Base Salary: 70–85%
Bonus: 5–20%
Equity (RSUs / stock options): 10–40%
Mid-Level UI Designer (SaaS Company)
Base: $105,000
Bonus: $10,000
Equity: $15,000/year
Salary: $65,000 – $85,000
Limited bonus
Minimal equity
Recruiter Insight:
At this level, hiring decisions are almost entirely based on portfolio quality, not years of experience.
Salary: $85,000 – $115,000
Bonus: 5–15%
Equity: $5K–$20K/year
What increases pay:
Top 1% (Big Tech / top product companies): $200,000 – $280,000+
Entry-level: $5,400 – $7,000/month
Mid-level: $7,000 – $9,600/month
Senior: $9,100 – $12,000/month
Total Compensation: $130,000
Senior UI Designer (Big Tech)
Base: $140,000
Bonus: $25,000
Equity: $60,000/year
Total Compensation: $225,000
Startup UI Designer
Base: $115,000
Bonus: Minimal
Equity: High upside (illiquid)
Total Compensation: $115,000 + potential equity growth
Strong visual systems (design systems, UI kits)
Experience working with product teams
Understanding of UX principles
Salary: $110,000 – $145,000
Bonus: 10–20%
Equity: $20K–$60K/year
Key differentiator:
Senior designers are expected to influence product direction, not just visuals.
Salary: $135,000 – $180,000+
Bonus: 15–25%
Equity: $40K–$120K/year
These roles often overlap with Product Design leadership.
Salary: $80,000 – $120,000
Lower ceiling
Focus on aesthetics and branding
Salary: $110,000 – $160,000
Higher demand
Strong product impact
Salary: $120,000 – $170,000
High demand in scaling companies
Strong technical + system thinking required
Salary: $100,000 – $150,000
Focus on micro-interactions and usability
Recruiter Insight:
Designers who connect UI to user behavior and business metrics earn significantly more.
Salary: $110,000 – $180,000
High equity potential
Fast career growth
Salary: $100,000 – $150,000
Strong demand for conversion-focused design
Salary: $70,000 – $110,000
Lower pay
Faster portfolio development
Salary: $80,000 – $120,000
Stable but limited upside
San Francisco Bay Area: $130,000 – $190,000
New York City: $120,000 – $180,000
Seattle: $115,000 – $170,000
Austin: $100,000 – $150,000
Denver: $95,000 – $140,000
Remote roles: $90,000 – $140,000
Midwest: $80,000 – $120,000
Important Insight:
Top remote companies now pay near top-tier salaries to attract elite designers.
Your portfolio determines:
Level placement
Salary band
Offer competitiveness
Designers tied to:
Revenue (conversion, retention)
Growth metrics
…earn significantly more.
High-paying skills:
Design systems
UX thinking
Prototyping (Figma, Framer)
Data-driven design
Big Tech → highest total compensation
Startups → equity upside
Agencies → lower pay
Designers who work closely with:
Product managers
Engineers
Growth teams
…are more valuable and better paid.
Transition from UI to Product Design (UI + UX)
Build a portfolio showing business impact
Learn design systems and scalability
Move into tech or SaaS companies
Weak Example:
“I designed app interfaces.”
Good Example:
“I redesigned the onboarding flow, increasing user activation by 25% and reducing drop-off by 18%.”
What changed:
You tied design work to measurable business outcomes.
Portfolio strength
Leveling (mid vs senior vs lead)
Market benchmarks
Competing candidates
Weak Example:
“I’m looking for $110K.”
Good Example:
“Based on similar roles in SaaS companies and the scope of this position, I’d expect a total compensation package in the $130K–$150K range.”
Why this works:
You anchor higher and focus on total compensation.
Negotiate leveling (this is critical)
Ask for equity adjustments
Use competing offers
Highlight measurable impact from past work
UI Designer → Senior UI Designer
Senior → Product Designer / Lead Designer
Lead → Head of Design / Design Director
0–3 years: Portfolio building phase
3–7 years: Rapid salary growth
7+ years: Leadership unlocks $180K+
Increasing demand for product designers over pure UI designers
Growth in AI-driven design tools
Higher value placed on design systems and scalability
The UI Designer salary in the US is highly dependent on how you position yourself.
Your earning potential depends on:
Portfolio quality
Product impact
Skill set (UI vs Product Design)
Company type
If you evolve from a visual designer to a product-focused, data-driven designer, you can realistically grow from $70K to $160K+—and exceed $200K in top-tier companies.
The key is simple: design for business outcomes, not just aesthetics.
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