UX Designer Salary

Bridgeport vs Waterbury: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Bridgeport, CT and Waterbury, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bridgeport, CT
$74,347
$35.74/hr
Waterbury, CT
$42,653
$20.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBridgeport, CTWaterbury, CT
Median Salary$74,347$42,653
Hourly Rate$35.74$20.50
Entry Level (P10)$38,327$42,589
25th Percentile$56,073$42,653
75th Percentile$102,291$58,573
Top Earner (P90)$119,996$77,968
Total Employed220100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bridgeport ($74,347) and Waterbury ($42,653) ux designer salaries.BridgeportWaterburyMedian Salary$74,347$42,653Entry Level (P10)$38,327$42,589Top Earner (P90)$119,996$77,968US Median $83,320

Verdict

Bridgeport, CT offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Waterbury.

The salary gap between Bridgeport and Waterbury is $31,694 (74.31%). Bridgeport's median is -10.77% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bridgeport spans $81,669,Waterbury spans $35,379. Bridgeport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bridgeport
P10 (Entry)$38,327
P25$56,073
Median$74,347
P75$102,291
P90 (Top)$119,996
Waterbury
P10 (Entry)$42,589
P25$42,653
Median$42,653
P75$58,573
P90 (Top)$77,968

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgeport ($69,572 effective) pays 62.75% more than Waterbury ($42,748 effective).

Bridgeport
Nominal: $74,347
CoL Index: 106.864
Adjusted: $69,572
Waterbury
Nominal: $42,653
CoL Index: 99.778
Adjusted: $42,748

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bridgeport if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,347/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($119,996)
  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,572)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose Waterbury if…

  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Bridgeport grew 1.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -22.7% growth in Waterbury over the same period.

Bridgeport, CT

+1.0%

$68,890 (2021) → $69,600 (2025)

Waterbury, CT

+-22.7%

$51,670 (2024) → $39,930 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Bridgeport or Waterbury?

Bridgeport has a higher median ux designer salary at $74,347/year, compared to Waterbury at $42,653/year — a difference of $31,694 (74.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bridgeport and Waterbury?

Bridgeport ux designers earn $35.74/hr while Waterbury hygienists earn $20.50/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bridgeport to Waterbury as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bridgeport and Waterbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bridgeport = $69,572, Waterbury = $42,748), job availability (220 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Bridgeport vs Waterbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $38,327 in Bridgeport and $42,589 in Waterbury. The Waterbury 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