UX Designer Salary

Charleston vs Hanahan: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Charleston, SC
$77,063
$37.06/hr
Hanahan, SC
$64,203
$30.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCHanahan, SC
Median Salary$77,063$64,203
Hourly Rate$37.06$30.87
Entry Level (P10)$41,348$37,237
25th Percentile$52,395$46,226
75th Percentile$105,280$82,180
Top Earner (P90)$215,470$99,515
Total Employed904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($77,063) and Hanahan ($64,203) ux designer salaries.CharlestonHanahanMedian Salary$77,063$64,203Entry Level (P10)$41,348$37,237Top Earner (P90)$215,470$99,515US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charleston and Hanahan is $12,860 (20.03%). 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 Charleston spans $174,122,Hanahan spans $62,278. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$41,348
P25$52,395
Median$77,063
P75$105,280
P90 (Top)$215,470
Hanahan
P10 (Entry)$37,237
P25$46,226
Median$64,203
P75$82,180
P90 (Top)$99,515

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($76,329 effective) pays 8.78% more than Hanahan ($70,167 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $77,063
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $76,329
Hanahan
Nominal: $64,203
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $70,167

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Hanahan if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Charleston grew -26.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -18.0% growth in Hanahan over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+-26.4%

$98,020 (2021) → $72,143 (2025)

Hanahan, SC

+-18.0%

$73,299 (2024) → $60,104 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Charleston or Hanahan?

Charleston has a higher median ux designer salary at $77,063/year, compared to Hanahan at $64,203/year — a difference of $12,860 (20.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Hanahan?

Charleston ux designers earn $37.06/hr while Hanahan hygienists earn $30.87/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Hanahan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $76,329, Hanahan = $70,167), job availability (90 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $41,348 in Charleston and $37,237 in Hanahan. 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