UX Designer Salary

Cleveland vs Westlake: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Cleveland, OH and Westlake, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$69,171
$33.25/hr
Westlake, OH
$63,871
$30.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHWestlake, OH
Median Salary$69,171$63,871
Hourly Rate$33.25$30.71
Entry Level (P10)$42,005$37,045
25th Percentile$52,019$45,987
75th Percentile$91,260$81,755
Top Earner (P90)$106,449$99,000
Total Employed3605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($69,171) and Westlake ($63,871) ux designer salaries.ClevelandWestlakeMedian Salary$69,171$63,871Entry Level (P10)$42,005$37,045Top Earner (P90)$106,449$99,000US Median $83,320

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Westlake.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Westlake is $5,300 (8.30%). Cleveland's median is -16.98% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $64,444,Westlake spans $61,955. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$42,005
P25$52,019
Median$69,171
P75$91,260
P90 (Top)$106,449
Westlake
P10 (Entry)$37,045
P25$45,987
Median$63,871
P75$81,755
P90 (Top)$99,000

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($73,646 effective) pays 4.58% more than Westlake ($70,420 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $69,171
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $73,646
Westlake
Nominal: $63,871
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $70,420

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,171/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,449)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,646)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Westlake if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Cleveland grew -16.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -31.2% growth in Westlake over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+-16.4%

$77,450 (2021) → $64,755 (2025)

Westlake, OH

+-31.2%

$86,964 (2024) → $59,793 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Cleveland or Westlake?

Cleveland has a higher median ux designer salary at $69,171/year, compared to Westlake at $63,871/year — a difference of $5,300 (8.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Westlake?

Cleveland ux designers earn $33.25/hr while Westlake hygienists earn $30.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Westlake as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Westlake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $73,646, Westlake = $70,420), job availability (360 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Cleveland vs Westlake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $42,005 in Cleveland and $37,045 in Westlake. The Cleveland area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

MC

Written by Maria Chen, MDes

Content Lead

Maria has over 10 years of experience in user experience design. She specializes in usability testing and user research. Maria has worked with tech companies and startups.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 6.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov