UX Designer Salary in Cleveland, OH: $69,171 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Cleveland, OH earns a median $69,171/year (≈ $33.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $73,646 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
UX designers in Cleveland can expect a median annual salary of $69,171 in 2026, a figure that falls below the national benchmark of $83,320. With a range from $42,005 at the lower end to $106,449 at the high end, the compensation landscape in the city reflects a varying degree of career progression, especially when considering the decision between pursuing management or remaining in an individual contributor (IC) role. Those aiming for leadership positions may find opportunities at larger organizations, though many companies still offer attractive pay for senior IC roles, especially as businesses recognize the value of experienced designers. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating steady potential for income growth in Cleveland's design market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,005 | $20.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,019 | $25.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,171 | $33.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,260 | $43.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,449 | $51.18 |
Median Salary Position
16.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,444 (2026 est.). At $69,171, the local median is 16.98% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland UX Designer Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $69,171/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,405 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -16.98% less |
UX Designers in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $69,171 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.98% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 7.40% above the Ohio state average of $64,405.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $69,171 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,646 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$77,450
2025 BLS Actual
$64,755
2026 Current Est.
$69,171
2021–2027 Growth
+-4.6%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Cleveland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,390 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,755 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,171 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,889 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -16.4% from $77,450 (2021) to $64,755 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,889 by 2027 — a total increase of $-3,561 (-4.60%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,005 – $52,019 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,019 – $69,171 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,171 – $91,260 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,260 – $106,449 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Cleveland
Cleveland's job market features approximately 360 employed UX designers, likely benefiting from a cost-of-living index at 93.923, which offers a more favorable take-home purchasing power compared to many larger cities. Employers such as technologic powerhouses or digital product agencies stand out when it comes to compensation, often favoring candidates from top-tier firms or those with robust portfolios, particularly in specialized areas like research or product design. The pay discrepancies can be attributed to both company type and the designer's specific expertise—high-tier tech firms typically provide equity and RSUs that enhance overall earnings. Designers looking to maximize their pay should focus on developing strong portfolios and consider positions at leading tech companies where salary packages often include significant bonuses and stock options, ultimately positioning them favorably in the competitive landscape of UX design in Cleveland, OH.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $64,755 for ux designersin the Cleveland metropolitan area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ux designers (SOC 15-1255).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov