UX Designer Salary

Columbus vs Oxford: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$76,919
$36.98/hr
Oxford, OH
$60,782
$29.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHOxford, OH
Median Salary$76,919$60,782
Hourly Rate$36.98$29.23
Entry Level (P10)$45,257$35,254
25th Percentile$57,018$46,049
75th Percentile$107,306$77,800
Top Earner (P90)$133,801$94,212
Total Employed6206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($76,919) and Oxford ($60,782) ux designer salaries.ColumbusOxfordMedian Salary$76,919$60,782Entry Level (P10)$45,257$35,254Top Earner (P90)$133,801$94,212US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Oxford is $16,137 (26.55%). Columbus's median is -7.68% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $88,544,Oxford spans $58,958. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$45,257
P25$57,018
Median$76,919
P75$107,306
P90 (Top)$133,801
Oxford
P10 (Entry)$35,254
P25$46,049
Median$60,782
P75$77,800
P90 (Top)$94,212

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($80,570 effective) pays 20.23% more than Oxford ($67,014 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $76,919
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $80,570
Oxford
Nominal: $60,782
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,014

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,919/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($133,801)
  • Larger job market (620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $80,570)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Oxford if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Columbus grew -9.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -31.2% growth in Oxford over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+-9.4%

$79,440 (2021) → $72,008 (2025)

Oxford, OH

+-31.2%

$82,758 (2024) → $56,901 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Columbus or Oxford?

Columbus has a higher median ux designer salary at $76,919/year, compared to Oxford at $60,782/year — a difference of $16,137 (26.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Oxford?

Columbus ux designers earn $36.98/hr while Oxford hygienists earn $29.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Oxford as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Oxford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $80,570, Oxford = $67,014), job availability (620 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Columbus vs Oxford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $45,257 in Columbus and $35,254 in Oxford. The Columbus 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