UX Designer Salary

Barnstable vs Boston: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Barnstable, MA and Boston, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable, MA
$65,907
$31.68/hr
Boston, MA
$97,957
$47.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable, MABoston, MA
Median Salary$65,907$97,957
Hourly Rate$31.68$47.10
Entry Level (P10)$38,226$58,372
25th Percentile$49,019$69,516
75th Percentile$84,361$127,815
Top Earner (P90)$102,155$142,806
Total Employed82,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable ($65,907) and Boston ($97,957) ux designer salaries.BarnstableBostonMedian Salary$65,907$97,957Entry Level (P10)$38,226$58,372Top Earner (P90)$102,155$142,806US Median $83,320

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barnstable.

The salary gap between Barnstable and Boston is $32,050 (48.63%). Boston's median is +17.57% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable spans $63,929,Boston spans $84,434. Boston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Barnstable
P10 (Entry)$38,226
P25$49,019
Median$65,907
P75$84,361
P90 (Top)$102,155
Boston
P10 (Entry)$58,372
P25$69,516
Median$97,957
P75$127,815
P90 (Top)$142,806

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($90,478 effective) pays 48.95% more than Barnstable ($60,744 effective).

Barnstable
Nominal: $65,907
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $60,744
Boston
Nominal: $97,957
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $90,478

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($142,806)
  • Larger job market (2,330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $90,478)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Barnstable grew -49.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 18.0% growth in Boston over the same period.

Barnstable, MA

+-49.5%

$122,132 (2024) → $61,699 (2025)

Boston, MA

+18.0%

$77,740 (2021) → $91,703 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Barnstable or Boston?

Boston has a higher median ux designer salary at $97,957/year, compared to Barnstable at $65,907/year — a difference of $32,050 (48.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable and Boston?

Barnstable ux designers earn $31.68/hr while Boston hygienists earn $47.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable to Boston as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable and Boston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable = $60,744, Boston = $90,478), job availability (8 vs 2,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Barnstable vs Boston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $38,226 in Barnstable and $58,372 in Boston. The Boston 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