UX Designer Salary

Milwaukee vs Oshkosh: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$80,684
$38.80/hr
Oshkosh, WI
$78,336
$37.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIOshkosh, WI
Median Salary$80,684$78,336
Hourly Rate$38.80$37.66
Entry Level (P10)$48,911$49,495
25th Percentile$63,051$68,843
75th Percentile$105,640$93,310
Top Earner (P90)$127,087$126,222
Total Employed24030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($80,684) and Oshkosh ($78,336) ux designer salaries.MilwaukeeOshkoshMedian Salary$80,684$78,336Entry Level (P10)$48,911$49,495Top Earner (P90)$127,087$126,222US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Oshkosh is $2,348 (3.00%). Milwaukee's median is -3.16% compared to the US national median of $83,320.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $78,176,Oshkosh spans $76,727. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$48,911
P25$63,051
Median$80,684
P75$105,640
P90 (Top)$127,087
Oshkosh
P10 (Entry)$49,495
P25$68,843
Median$78,336
P75$93,310
P90 (Top)$126,222

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Oshkosh ($84,297 effective) pays 1.28% more than Milwaukee ($83,233 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $80,684
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $83,233
Oshkosh
Nominal: $78,336
CoL Index: 92.929
Adjusted: $84,297

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($80,684/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,087)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Oshkosh if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,297)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, ux designer salaries in Milwaukee grew 20.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to -8.2% growth in Oshkosh over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+20.0%

$62,940 (2021) → $75,533 (2025)

Oshkosh, WI

+-8.2%

$79,850 (2024) → $73,335 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Milwaukee or Oshkosh?

Milwaukee has a higher median ux designer salary at $80,684/year, compared to Oshkosh at $78,336/year — a difference of $2,348 (3.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Oshkosh?

Milwaukee ux designers earn $38.80/hr while Oshkosh hygienists earn $37.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Oshkosh as a ux designer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Oshkosh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $83,233, Oshkosh = $84,297), job availability (240 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level ux designers earn in Milwaukee vs Oshkosh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $48,911 in Milwaukee and $49,495 in Oshkosh. The Oshkosh 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