UX Designer Salary

Fort Wayne vs Zionsville: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Fort Wayne, IN
$56,297
$27.07/hr
Zionsville, IN
$54,811
$26.35/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INZionsville, IN
Median Salary$56,297$54,811
Hourly Rate$27.07$26.35
Entry Level (P10)$41,188$31,791
25th Percentile$49,367$39,465
75th Percentile$74,291$70,158
Top Earner (P90)$100,144$84,958
Total Employed1005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($56,297) and Zionsville ($54,811) ux designer salaries.Fort WayneZionsvilleMedian Salary$56,297$54,811Entry Level (P10)$41,188$31,791Top Earner (P90)$100,144$84,958US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Zionsville is $1,486 (2.71%). 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,Zionsville spans $53,167. 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
Zionsville
P10 (Entry)$31,791
P25$39,465
Median$54,811
P75$70,158
P90 (Top)$84,958

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($60,814 effective) pays 1.30% more than Zionsville ($60,034 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $56,297
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $60,814
Zionsville
Nominal: $54,811
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $60,034

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 Zionsville 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 Zionsville over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+-15.3%

$62,230 (2021) → $52,703 (2025)

Zionsville, IN

+-25.2%

$68,593 (2024) → $51,312 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fort Wayne has a higher median ux designer salary at $56,297/year, compared to Zionsville at $54,811/year — a difference of $1,486 (2.71%).

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

Fort Wayne ux designers earn $27.07/hr while Zionsville hygienists earn $26.35/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Zionsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $60,814, Zionsville = $60,034), job availability (100 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $41,188 in Fort Wayne and $31,791 in Zionsville. 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