UX Designer Salary

Richmond vs Waynesboro: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Richmond, VA and Waynesboro, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$51,001
$24.52/hr
Waynesboro, VA
$61,268
$29.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWaynesboro, VA
Median Salary$51,001$61,268
Hourly Rate$24.52$29.46
Entry Level (P10)$35,170$35,535
25th Percentile$40,130$44,112
75th Percentile$70,693$78,423
Top Earner (P90)$86,741$94,965
Total Employed2304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($51,001) and Waynesboro ($61,268) ux designer salaries.RichmondWaynesboroMedian Salary$51,001$61,268Entry Level (P10)$35,170$35,535Top Earner (P90)$86,741$94,965US Median $83,320

Verdict

Waynesboro, VA offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Richmond and Waynesboro is $10,267 (20.13%). Waynesboro's median is -26.47% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $51,571,Waynesboro spans $59,430. Waynesboro has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$35,170
P25$40,130
Median$51,001
P75$70,693
P90 (Top)$86,741
Waynesboro
P10 (Entry)$35,535
P25$44,112
Median$61,268
P75$78,423
P90 (Top)$94,965

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waynesboro ($59,368 effective) pays 13.91% more than Richmond ($52,117 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $51,001
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $52,117
Waynesboro
Nominal: $61,268
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $59,368

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Waynesboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,268/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,965)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,368)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Richmond grew -28.5% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -14.1% growth in Waynesboro over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+-28.5%

$66,810 (2021) → $47,745 (2025)

Waynesboro, VA

+-14.1%

$66,768 (2024) → $57,356 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Richmond or Waynesboro?

Waynesboro has a higher median ux designer salary at $61,268/year, compared to Richmond at $51,001/year — a difference of $10,267 (20.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Waynesboro?

Richmond ux designers earn $24.52/hr while Waynesboro hygienists earn $29.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Waynesboro as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Waynesboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $52,117, Waynesboro = $59,368), job availability (230 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $35,170 in Richmond and $35,535 in Waynesboro. The Waynesboro 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