UX Designer Salary

Boston vs Shrewsbury: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Boston, MA
$97,957
$47.10/hr
Shrewsbury, MA
$64,818
$31.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAShrewsbury, MA
Median Salary$97,957$64,818
Hourly Rate$47.10$31.16
Entry Level (P10)$58,372$37,594
25th Percentile$69,516$46,900
75th Percentile$127,815$82,967
Top Earner (P90)$142,806$100,468
Total Employed2,3306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($97,957) and Shrewsbury ($64,818) ux designer salaries.BostonShrewsburyMedian Salary$97,957$64,818Entry Level (P10)$58,372$37,594Top Earner (P90)$142,806$100,468US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Shrewsbury is $33,139 (51.13%). 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 Boston spans $84,434,Shrewsbury spans $62,874. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$58,372
P25$69,516
Median$97,957
P75$127,815
P90 (Top)$142,806
Shrewsbury
P10 (Entry)$37,594
P25$46,900
Median$64,818
P75$82,967
P90 (Top)$100,468

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($90,478 effective) pays 51.45% more than Shrewsbury ($59,740 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $97,957
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $90,478
Shrewsbury
Nominal: $64,818
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $59,740

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Shrewsbury if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Boston grew 18.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -49.5% growth in Shrewsbury over the same period.

Boston, MA

+18.0%

$77,740 (2021) → $91,703 (2025)

Shrewsbury, MA

+-49.5%

$120,114 (2024) → $60,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Boston or Shrewsbury?

Boston has a higher median ux designer salary at $97,957/year, compared to Shrewsbury at $64,818/year — a difference of $33,139 (51.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Shrewsbury?

Boston ux designers earn $47.10/hr while Shrewsbury hygienists earn $31.16/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Shrewsbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $90,478, Shrewsbury = $59,740), job availability (2,330 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $58,372 in Boston and $37,594 in Shrewsbury. 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