UX Designer Salary

Madison vs Sheboygan: UX Designer Salary (2026)

Compare ux designer salaries between Madison, WI and Sheboygan, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$64,957
$31.23/hr
Sheboygan, WI
$55,774
$26.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WISheboygan, WI
Median Salary$64,957$55,774
Hourly Rate$31.23$26.81
Entry Level (P10)$46,306$32,349
25th Percentile$53,885$40,157
75th Percentile$81,133$71,391
Top Earner (P90)$97,051$86,449
Total Employed20011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($64,957) and Sheboygan ($55,774) ux designer salaries.MadisonSheboyganMedian Salary$64,957$55,774Entry Level (P10)$46,306$32,349Top Earner (P90)$97,051$86,449US Median $83,320

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sheboygan.

The salary gap between Madison and Sheboygan is $9,183 (16.46%). Madison's median is -22.04% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $50,745,Sheboygan spans $54,100. Sheboygan has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$46,306
P25$53,885
Median$64,957
P75$81,133
P90 (Top)$97,051
Sheboygan
P10 (Entry)$32,349
P25$40,157
Median$55,774
P75$71,391
P90 (Top)$86,449

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($66,768 effective) pays 11.81% more than Sheboygan ($59,715 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $64,957
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $66,768
Sheboygan
Nominal: $55,774
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $59,715

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($97,051)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,768)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Sheboygan if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Madison grew -6.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -35.5% growth in Sheboygan over the same period.

Madison, WI

+-6.6%

$65,120 (2021) → $60,810 (2025)

Sheboygan, WI

+-35.5%

$80,953 (2024) → $52,213 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Madison or Sheboygan?

Madison has a higher median ux designer salary at $64,957/year, compared to Sheboygan at $55,774/year — a difference of $9,183 (16.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Sheboygan?

Madison ux designers earn $31.23/hr while Sheboygan hygienists earn $26.81/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Sheboygan as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Sheboygan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $66,768, Sheboygan = $59,715), job availability (200 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Madison vs Sheboygan?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $46,306 in Madison and $32,349 in Sheboygan. The Madison 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