UX Designer Salary

Fort Wayne vs Richmond: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Fort Wayne, IN and Richmond, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fort Wayne, IN
$56,297
$27.07/hr
Richmond, IN
$55,521
$26.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INRichmond, IN
Median Salary$56,297$55,521
Hourly Rate$27.07$26.69
Entry Level (P10)$41,188$32,202
25th Percentile$49,367$41,369
75th Percentile$74,291$71,066
Top Earner (P90)$100,144$86,057
Total Employed1007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($56,297) and Richmond ($55,521) ux designer salaries.Fort WayneRichmondMedian Salary$56,297$55,521Entry Level (P10)$41,188$32,202Top Earner (P90)$100,144$86,057US Median $83,320

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Richmond is $776 (1.40%). Fort Wayne's median is -32.43% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Wayne spans $58,956,Richmond spans $53,855. Fort Wayne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$41,188
P25$49,367
Median$56,297
P75$74,291
P90 (Top)$100,144
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$32,202
P25$41,369
Median$55,521
P75$71,066
P90 (Top)$86,057

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($60,814 effective) pays 0.00% more than Richmond ($60,812 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $56,297
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $60,814
Richmond
Nominal: $55,521
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $60,812

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,297/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($100,144)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,814)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Fort Wayne grew -15.3% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -25.2% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+-15.3%

$62,230 (2021) → $52,703 (2025)

Richmond, IN

+-25.2%

$69,479 (2024) → $51,976 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Fort Wayne or Richmond?

Fort Wayne has a higher median ux designer salary at $56,297/year, compared to Richmond at $55,521/year — a difference of $776 (1.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Wayne and Richmond?

Fort Wayne ux designers earn $27.07/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $26.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Wayne to Richmond as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $60,814, Richmond = $60,812), job availability (100 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Fort Wayne vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $41,188 in Fort Wayne and $32,202 in Richmond. The Fort Wayne 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