UX Designer Salary

Anderson vs Charleston: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Anderson, SC and Charleston, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Anderson, SC
$64,344
$30.94/hr
Charleston, SC
$77,063
$37.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAnderson, SCCharleston, SC
Median Salary$64,344$77,063
Hourly Rate$30.94$37.06
Entry Level (P10)$37,320$41,348
25th Percentile$46,328$52,395
75th Percentile$82,360$105,280
Top Earner (P90)$99,734$215,470
Total Employed590
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Anderson ($64,344) and Charleston ($77,063) ux designer salaries.AndersonCharlestonMedian Salary$64,344$77,063Entry Level (P10)$37,320$41,348Top Earner (P90)$99,734$215,470US Median $83,320

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Anderson.

The salary gap between Anderson and Charleston is $12,719 (19.77%). Charleston's median is -7.51% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Anderson spans $62,414,Charleston spans $174,122. Charleston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Anderson
P10 (Entry)$37,320
P25$46,328
Median$64,344
P75$82,360
P90 (Top)$99,734
Charleston
P10 (Entry)$41,348
P25$52,395
Median$77,063
P75$105,280
P90 (Top)$215,470

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($76,329 effective) pays 8.54% more than Anderson ($70,321 effective).

Anderson
Nominal: $64,344
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $70,321
Charleston
Nominal: $77,063
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $76,329

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Anderson if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($77,063/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($215,470)
  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $76,329)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Anderson grew -18.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -26.4% growth in Charleston over the same period.

Anderson, SC

+-18.0%

$73,460 (2024) → $60,236 (2025)

Charleston, SC

+-26.4%

$98,020 (2021) → $72,143 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Anderson or Charleston?

Charleston has a higher median ux designer salary at $77,063/year, compared to Anderson at $64,344/year — a difference of $12,719 (19.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Anderson and Charleston?

Anderson ux designers earn $30.94/hr while Charleston hygienists earn $37.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Anderson to Charleston as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Anderson and Charleston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Anderson = $70,321, Charleston = $76,329), job availability (5 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Anderson vs Charleston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $37,320 in Anderson and $41,348 in Charleston. The Charleston area offers higher starting salaries.
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