UX Designer Salary

Philadelphia vs Scranton: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Philadelphia, PA and Scranton, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Philadelphia, PA
$83,993
$40.38/hr
Scranton, PA
$54,943
$26.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPhiladelphia, PAScranton, PA
Median Salary$83,993$54,943
Hourly Rate$40.38$26.42
Entry Level (P10)$44,672$28,850
25th Percentile$59,374$43,807
75th Percentile$107,066$78,705
Top Earner (P90)$132,182$103,405
Total Employed1,42040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Philadelphia ($83,993) and Scranton ($54,943) ux designer salaries.PhiladelphiaScrantonMedian Salary$83,993$54,943Entry Level (P10)$44,672$28,850Top Earner (P90)$132,182$103,405US Median $83,320

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Scranton.

The salary gap between Philadelphia and Scranton is $29,050 (52.87%). Philadelphia's median is +0.81% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Philadelphia spans $87,510,Scranton spans $74,555. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$44,672
P25$59,374
Median$83,993
P75$107,066
P90 (Top)$132,182
Scranton
P10 (Entry)$28,850
P25$43,807
Median$54,943
P75$78,705
P90 (Top)$103,405

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($81,901 effective) pays 39.46% more than Scranton ($58,727 effective).

Philadelphia
Nominal: $83,993
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $81,901
Scranton
Nominal: $54,943
CoL Index: 93.556
Adjusted: $58,727

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($83,993/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,182)
  • Larger job market (1,420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $81,901)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Scranton if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Philadelphia grew 1.1% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -15.1% growth in Scranton over the same period.

Philadelphia, PA

+1.1%

$77,760 (2021) → $78,630 (2025)

Scranton, PA

+-15.1%

$60,570 (2021) → $51,435 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Philadelphia or Scranton?

Philadelphia has a higher median ux designer salary at $83,993/year, compared to Scranton at $54,943/year — a difference of $29,050 (52.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Philadelphia and Scranton?

Philadelphia ux designers earn $40.38/hr while Scranton hygienists earn $26.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Philadelphia to Scranton as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Philadelphia and Scranton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Philadelphia = $81,901, Scranton = $58,727), job availability (1,420 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Philadelphia vs Scranton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $44,672 in Philadelphia and $28,850 in Scranton. The Philadelphia 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