Madison vs Waukesha: UX Designer Salary (2026)
Compare ux designer salaries between Madison, WI and Waukesha, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Metric | Madison, WI | Waukesha, WI |
|---|---|---|
| Median Salary | $64,957 | $81,701▲ |
| Hourly Rate | $31.23 | $39.28▲ |
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,306 | $47,386▲ |
| 25th Percentile | $53,885 | $58,825▲ |
| 75th Percentile | $81,133 | $104,578▲ |
| Top Earner (P90) | $97,051 | $126,637▲ |
| Total Employed | 200▲ | 14 |
Verdict
Waukesha, WI offers better overall compensation for ux designers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Madison.
The salary gap between Madison and Waukesha is $16,744 (25.78%). Waukesha's median is -1.94% 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,Waukesha spans $79,251. Waukesha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced ux designers.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison
After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukesha ($87,474 effective) pays 31.01% more than Madison ($66,768 effective).
Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.
Which City Is Right for You?
Choose Madison if…
- ✓Larger job market (200 employed)
- ✓You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle
Choose Waukesha if…
- ✓Higher median salary ($81,701/year)
- ✓Better top-earner potential ($126,637)
- ✓Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $87,474)
- ✓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 -9.9% growth in Waukesha over the same period.
Madison, WI
$65,120 (2021) → $60,810 (2025)
Waukesha, WI
$84,923 (2024) → $76,485 (2025)
View Full Salary Data
Madison, WI
Waukesha, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
Which city pays ux designers more: Madison or Waukesha?
What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Waukesha?
Should I relocate from Madison to Waukesha as a ux designer?
What do entry-level ux designers earn in Madison vs Waukesha?
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
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