UX Designer Salary

Detroit vs Marquette: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Detroit, MI and Marquette, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$79,675
$38.31/hr
Marquette, MI
$52,293
$25.15/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIMarquette, MI
Median Salary$79,675$52,293
Hourly Rate$38.31$25.15
Entry Level (P10)$36,661$30,329
25th Percentile$51,202$37,728
75th Percentile$107,811$66,934
Top Earner (P90)$128,801$81,054
Total Employed7904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($79,675) and Marquette ($52,293) ux designer salaries.DetroitMarquetteMedian Salary$79,675$52,293Entry Level (P10)$36,661$30,329Top Earner (P90)$128,801$81,054US Median $83,320

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Marquette.

The salary gap between Detroit and Marquette is $27,382 (52.36%). Detroit's median is -4.37% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $92,140,Marquette spans $50,725. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$36,661
P25$51,202
Median$79,675
P75$107,811
P90 (Top)$128,801
Marquette
P10 (Entry)$30,329
P25$37,728
Median$52,293
P75$66,934
P90 (Top)$81,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($79,438 effective) pays 41.58% more than Marquette ($56,108 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $79,675
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $79,438
Marquette
Nominal: $52,293
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $56,108

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,675/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,801)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,438)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Marquette if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Detroit grew 14.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -32.3% growth in Marquette over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+14.3%

$65,260 (2021) → $74,588 (2025)

Marquette, MI

+-32.3%

$72,349 (2024) → $48,954 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Detroit or Marquette?

Detroit has a higher median ux designer salary at $79,675/year, compared to Marquette at $52,293/year — a difference of $27,382 (52.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Marquette?

Detroit ux designers earn $38.31/hr while Marquette hygienists earn $25.15/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Marquette as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Marquette. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $79,438, Marquette = $56,108), job availability (790 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Detroit vs Marquette?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $36,661 in Detroit and $30,329 in Marquette. The Detroit 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