UX Designer Salary

Cleveland vs Lakewood: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Cleveland, OH and Lakewood, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cleveland, OH
$69,171
$33.25/hr
Lakewood, OH
$64,091
$30.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHLakewood, OH
Median Salary$69,171$64,091
Hourly Rate$33.25$30.82
Entry Level (P10)$42,005$37,172
25th Percentile$52,019$46,145
75th Percentile$91,260$82,037
Top Earner (P90)$106,449$99,340
Total Employed36011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($69,171) and Lakewood ($64,091) ux designer salaries.ClevelandLakewoodMedian Salary$69,171$64,091Entry Level (P10)$42,005$37,172Top Earner (P90)$106,449$99,340US Median $83,320

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakewood.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Lakewood is $5,080 (7.93%). Cleveland's median is -16.98% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $64,444,Lakewood spans $62,168. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$42,005
P25$52,019
Median$69,171
P75$91,260
P90 (Top)$106,449
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$37,172
P25$46,145
Median$64,091
P75$82,037
P90 (Top)$99,340

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($73,646 effective) pays 4.22% more than Lakewood ($70,663 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $69,171
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $73,646
Lakewood
Nominal: $64,091
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $70,663

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($69,171/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($106,449)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,646)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Cleveland grew -16.4% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -31.2% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+-16.4%

$77,450 (2021) → $64,755 (2025)

Lakewood, OH

+-31.2%

$87,264 (2024) → $59,999 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Cleveland or Lakewood?

Cleveland has a higher median ux designer salary at $69,171/year, compared to Lakewood at $64,091/year — a difference of $5,080 (7.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Lakewood?

Cleveland ux designers earn $33.25/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $30.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Lakewood as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $73,646, Lakewood = $70,663), job availability (360 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Cleveland vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $42,005 in Cleveland and $37,172 in Lakewood. The Cleveland 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