Product & Design · Salary Guide · New York
UX Designer Salary in New York
New York's software engineering market has two distinct tracks. The Big Tech track (Google, Meta, Bloomberg, Amazon's NYC offices) pays roughly 85–90% of SF levels. The finance track — hedge funds, prop shops, investment banks — pays 20–40% above that for equivalent roles, with top-tier quant positions at firms like Jane Street and Citadel reaching $500k+ for experienced engineers. The trade-off is culture and hours: finance roles tend to run 55–70 hour weeks. Combined state and city tax is among the highest in the US, and rent for a 1BR in Manhattan averages $4,100/month (Brooklyn closer to $3,200).
Median base in New York
$179k
Cost of living index
170
US = 100
Market multiplier
1.28x
vs US national
Salary by experience level in New York
| Experience level | Base salary (US national) |
|---|---|
| Entry (0–2 yrs) | $109k – $166k |
| Mid (3–5 yrs) | $147k – $224k |
| Senior (6–9 yrs) | $198k – $301k |
| Staff / Principal (10+ yrs) | $275k – $461k |
Adjusted from national ranges using the New York market multiplier (1.28x).
Tax and take-home considerations
New York State income tax up to 10.9% plus NYC local tax (3.876% top rate). Fintech and finance roles often carry a 20–40% premium over equivalent tech jobs.
Dominant employers in New York
Finance premium for quant/fintech roles. Strong Big Tech satellite offices.
FAQ
What is the average ux designer salary in New York?
The median base salary for a ux designer in New York is approximately $179k in 2026. New York's software engineering market has two distinct tracks.
Does New York have state income tax for ux designers?
New York State income tax up to 10.9% plus NYC local tax (3.876% top rate). Fintech and finance roles often carry a 20–40% premium over equivalent tech jobs.
Which companies hire the most ux designers in New York?
The dominant employers in New York are Google NYC, Meta NYC, Citadel, Jane Street, Two Sigma. Finance premium for quant/fintech roles. Strong Big Tech satellite offices.
What is the average UX designer salary in the US?
As of 2026, the median base salary for a US UX designer is about $140,000, with mid-level ranges of $115k–$175k. Total compensation at design-led Big Tech adds 30–55% through equity and bonus, with senior IC designers at Figma, Meta, and Airbnb clearing $250k–$400k TC.
Do UX designers make more than product designers?
At most companies the titles are used interchangeably, but where the split exists, product designers typically earn 5–10% more than research-focused UX designers because of the breadth (visual + interaction + prototyping) expected in the role. Pure UX researchers earn comparable pay with different skill weighting.
Related UX Designer Resources
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