UX Designer Salary

Detroit vs Farmington Hills: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Detroit, MI and Farmington Hills, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Detroit, MI
$79,675
$38.31/hr
Farmington Hills, MI
$54,372
$26.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDetroit, MIFarmington Hills, MI
Median Salary$79,675$54,372
Hourly Rate$38.31$26.14
Entry Level (P10)$36,661$31,536
25th Percentile$51,202$39,148
75th Percentile$107,811$69,596
Top Earner (P90)$128,801$84,278
Total Employed79020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Detroit ($79,675) and Farmington Hills ($54,372) ux designer salaries.DetroitFarmington HillsMedian Salary$79,675$54,372Entry Level (P10)$36,661$31,536Top Earner (P90)$128,801$84,278US Median $83,320

Verdict

Detroit, MI offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Farmington Hills.

The salary gap between Detroit and Farmington Hills is $25,303 (46.54%). Detroit's median is -4.37% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Detroit spans $92,140,Farmington Hills spans $52,742. Detroit has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Detroit
P10 (Entry)$36,661
P25$51,202
Median$79,675
P75$107,811
P90 (Top)$128,801
Farmington Hills
P10 (Entry)$31,536
P25$39,148
Median$54,372
P75$69,596
P90 (Top)$84,278

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Detroit ($79,438 effective) pays 36.17% more than Farmington Hills ($58,339 effective).

Detroit
Nominal: $79,675
CoL Index: 100.298
Adjusted: $79,438
Farmington Hills
Nominal: $54,372
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $58,339

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Detroit if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,675/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,801)
  • Larger job market (790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $79,438)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Farmington Hills if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Detroit grew 14.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -32.3% growth in Farmington Hills over the same period.

Detroit, MI

+14.3%

$65,260 (2021) → $74,588 (2025)

Farmington Hills, MI

+-32.3%

$75,228 (2024) → $50,901 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Detroit or Farmington Hills?

Detroit has a higher median ux designer salary at $79,675/year, compared to Farmington Hills at $54,372/year — a difference of $25,303 (46.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Detroit and Farmington Hills?

Detroit ux designers earn $38.31/hr while Farmington Hills hygienists earn $26.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Detroit to Farmington Hills as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Detroit and Farmington Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Detroit = $79,438, Farmington Hills = $58,339), job availability (790 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Detroit vs Farmington Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $36,661 in Detroit and $31,536 in Farmington Hills. The Detroit 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