Salary Comparison

UX Designer Salary:
Seattle, WA vs Boston, MA

Side-by-side gross salary, after-tax take-home pay, and purchasing power comparison. Updated June 2026.

Seattle, WA
$165,792
/ year
+14%
difference
Boston, MA
$145,232
/ year
Bottom line: Seattle wins on all three metrics — higher salary, more take-home pay, and greater purchasing power. How is this calculated? →
Metric
Seattle
Boston
Median Gross Salary
Annual, before tax
$165,792✓ higher
$145,232
Entry Level
0–2 years experience
$107,217✓ higher
$93,921
Senior Level
8+ years experience
$256,368✓ higher
$224,576
Est. Take-Home Pay
After income tax + FICA
$110,775✓ higher
$98,367
Purchasing Power
Equivalent in median-CoL city
$116,755✓ higher
$103,737
Cost of Living Index
Relative to US median (1.00)
1.42×
1.40×✓ lower
Percentile 10 (Low)
Bottom 10% of earners
$107,217✓ higher
$93,921
Percentile 90 (High)
Top 10% of earners
$256,368✓ higher
$224,576

What if you move from Seattle to Boston?

Gross salary change
$20,560
14% decrease
Take-home change
$12,408
per year after tax
Purchasing power change
$13,018
equivalent real income

Take-home pay is estimated using 2024 US federal tax brackets (single filer) + 7.65% FICA, or a blended international effective rate. Purchasing power converts gross salary to an equivalent in a US median cost-of-living city (index 1.00×). Full methodology →

Salary Range Comparison

Seattle, WA$165,792
P10: $107,217Median: $165,792P90: $256,368
Boston, MA$145,232
P10: $93,921Median: $145,232P90: $224,576

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Frequently Asked Questions

▶Does a UX Designer earn more in Seattle or Boston?

The median UX Designer salary in Seattle, WA is $165,792/yr compared to $145,232/yr in Boston, MA. Seattle pays 14% more in gross terms.

▶Is a UX Designer salary worth more in Seattle or Boston after cost of living?

After adjusting for local cost of living, your Seattle salary has the purchasing power of $116,755/yr in a median-cost city, vs $103,737/yr for Boston. Seattle offers stronger real purchasing power.

▶What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Seattle vs Boston?

After estimated taxes, a UX Designer in Seattle, WA takes home approximately $110,775/yr, vs $98,367/yr in Boston, MA. These are estimates based on standard federal tax rates and do not account for state/local taxes or deductions.