UX Designer Salary

Charlotte vs Rocky Mount: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Charlotte, NC and Rocky Mount, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charlotte, NC
$75,541
$36.32/hr
Rocky Mount, NC
$62,664
$30.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharlotte, NCRocky Mount, NC
Median Salary$75,541$62,664
Hourly Rate$36.32$30.12
Entry Level (P10)$35,090$36,346
25th Percentile$51,210$45,118
75th Percentile$107,242$80,210
Top Earner (P90)$130,123$97,129
Total Employed1,0708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charlotte ($75,541) and Rocky Mount ($62,664) ux designer salaries.CharlotteRocky MountMedian Salary$75,541$62,664Entry Level (P10)$35,090$36,346Top Earner (P90)$130,123$97,129US Median $83,320

Verdict

Charlotte, NC offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Rocky Mount.

The salary gap between Charlotte and Rocky Mount is $12,877 (20.55%). Charlotte's median is -9.34% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charlotte spans $95,033,Rocky Mount spans $60,783. Charlotte has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charlotte
P10 (Entry)$35,090
P25$51,210
Median$75,541
P75$107,242
P90 (Top)$130,123
Rocky Mount
P10 (Entry)$36,346
P25$45,118
Median$62,664
P75$80,210
P90 (Top)$97,129

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charlotte ($77,599 effective) pays 15.91% more than Rocky Mount ($66,949 effective).

Charlotte
Nominal: $75,541
CoL Index: 97.348
Adjusted: $77,599
Rocky Mount
Nominal: $62,664
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $66,949

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charlotte if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,541/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($130,123)
  • Larger job market (1,070 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $77,599)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Rocky Mount if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Charlotte grew 16.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -35.0% growth in Rocky Mount over the same period.

Charlotte, NC

+16.3%

$60,820 (2021) → $70,718 (2025)

Rocky Mount, NC

+-35.0%

$90,184 (2024) → $58,663 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Charlotte or Rocky Mount?

Charlotte has a higher median ux designer salary at $75,541/year, compared to Rocky Mount at $62,664/year — a difference of $12,877 (20.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charlotte and Rocky Mount?

Charlotte ux designers earn $36.32/hr while Rocky Mount hygienists earn $30.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charlotte to Rocky Mount as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charlotte and Rocky Mount. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charlotte = $77,599, Rocky Mount = $66,949), job availability (1,070 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Charlotte vs Rocky Mount?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $35,090 in Charlotte and $36,346 in Rocky Mount. The Rocky Mount 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