UX Designer Salary

Hamilton vs Jersey City: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Hamilton, NJ and Jersey City, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hamilton, NJ
$69,971
$33.64/hr
Jersey City, NJ
$97,128
$46.69/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHamilton, NJJersey City, NJ
Median Salary$69,971$97,128
Hourly Rate$33.64$46.69
Entry Level (P10)$40,583$56,335
25th Percentile$50,380$69,932
75th Percentile$89,563$124,325
Top Earner (P90)$108,455$150,549
Total Employed2142
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hamilton ($69,971) and Jersey City ($97,128) ux designer salaries.HamiltonJersey CityMedian Salary$69,971$97,128Entry Level (P10)$40,583$56,335Top Earner (P90)$108,455$150,549US Median $83,320

Verdict

Jersey City, NJ offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hamilton.

The salary gap between Hamilton and Jersey City is $27,157 (38.81%). Jersey City's median is +16.57% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hamilton spans $67,872,Jersey City spans $94,214. Jersey City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$40,583
P25$50,380
Median$69,971
P75$89,563
P90 (Top)$108,455
Jersey City
P10 (Entry)$56,335
P25$69,932
Median$97,128
P75$124,325
P90 (Top)$150,549

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jersey City ($84,313 effective) pays 38.81% more than Hamilton ($60,739 effective).

Hamilton
Nominal: $69,971
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $60,739
Jersey City
Nominal: $97,128
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $84,313

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hamilton if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Jersey City if…

  • Higher median salary ($97,128/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($150,549)
  • Larger job market (42 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,313)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Hamilton grew -39.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -22.3% growth in Jersey City over the same period.

Hamilton, NJ

+-39.6%

$108,501 (2024) → $65,504 (2025)

Jersey City, NJ

+-22.3%

$116,951 (2024) → $90,927 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Hamilton or Jersey City?

Jersey City has a higher median ux designer salary at $97,128/year, compared to Hamilton at $69,971/year — a difference of $27,157 (38.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hamilton and Jersey City?

Hamilton ux designers earn $33.64/hr while Jersey City hygienists earn $46.69/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hamilton to Jersey City as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hamilton and Jersey City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hamilton = $60,739, Jersey City = $84,313), job availability (21 vs 42 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Hamilton vs Jersey City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $40,583 in Hamilton and $56,335 in Jersey City. The Jersey City 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