UX Designer Salary

Davenport vs Muscatine: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Davenport, IA and Muscatine, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$55,023
$26.46/hr
Muscatine, IA
$52,759
$25.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMuscatine, IA
Median Salary$55,023$52,759
Hourly Rate$26.46$25.37
Entry Level (P10)$29,963$30,823
25th Percentile$41,188$39,302
75th Percentile$67,473$67,532
Top Earner (P90)$94,167$81,777
Total Employed405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($55,023) and Muscatine ($52,759) ux designer salaries.DavenportMuscatineMedian Salary$55,023$52,759Entry Level (P10)$29,963$30,823Top Earner (P90)$94,167$81,777US Median $83,320

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Muscatine.

The salary gap between Davenport and Muscatine is $2,264 (4.29%). Davenport's median is -33.96% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $64,204,Muscatine spans $50,954. Davenport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$29,963
P25$41,188
Median$55,023
P75$67,473
P90 (Top)$94,167
Muscatine
P10 (Entry)$30,823
P25$39,302
Median$52,759
P75$67,532
P90 (Top)$81,777

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($61,769 effective) pays 5.84% more than Muscatine ($58,362 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $55,023
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $61,769
Muscatine
Nominal: $52,759
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $58,362

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,023/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($94,167)
  • Larger job market (40 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,769)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Muscatine if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Davenport grew 5.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -27.0% growth in Muscatine over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+5.0%

$49,080 (2021) → $51,510 (2025)

Muscatine, IA

+-27.0%

$67,627 (2024) → $49,391 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Davenport or Muscatine?

Davenport has a higher median ux designer salary at $55,023/year, compared to Muscatine at $52,759/year — a difference of $2,264 (4.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Muscatine?

Davenport ux designers earn $26.46/hr while Muscatine hygienists earn $25.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Muscatine as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Muscatine. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $61,769, Muscatine = $58,362), job availability (40 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Davenport vs Muscatine?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $29,963 in Davenport and $30,823 in Muscatine. The Muscatine 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