UX Designer Salary

Milwaukee vs Pewaukee: UX Designer Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$80,684
$38.80/hr
Pewaukee, WI
$55,612
$26.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIPewaukee, WI
Median Salary$80,684$55,612
Hourly Rate$38.80$26.74
Entry Level (P10)$48,911$32,254
25th Percentile$63,051$40,040
75th Percentile$105,640$71,183
Top Earner (P90)$127,087$86,198
Total Employed2404
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($80,684) and Pewaukee ($55,612) ux designer salaries.MilwaukeePewaukeeMedian Salary$80,684$55,612Entry Level (P10)$48,911$32,254Top Earner (P90)$127,087$86,198US Median $83,320

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Pewaukee is $25,072 (45.08%). 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,Pewaukee spans $53,944. 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
Pewaukee
P10 (Entry)$32,254
P25$40,040
Median$55,612
P75$71,183
P90 (Top)$86,198

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Milwaukee ($83,233 effective) pays 39.79% more than Pewaukee ($59,542 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $80,684
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $83,233
Pewaukee
Nominal: $55,612
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $59,542

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,233)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Pewaukee if…

  • 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 -35.5% growth in Pewaukee over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+20.0%

$62,940 (2021) → $75,533 (2025)

Pewaukee, WI

+-35.5%

$80,717 (2024) → $52,061 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays ux designers more: Milwaukee or Pewaukee?

Milwaukee has a higher median ux designer salary at $80,684/year, compared to Pewaukee at $55,612/year — a difference of $25,072 (45.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Pewaukee?

Milwaukee ux designers earn $38.80/hr while Pewaukee hygienists earn $26.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Pewaukee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $83,233, Pewaukee = $59,542), job availability (240 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) ux designers earn $48,911 in Milwaukee and $32,254 in Pewaukee. The Milwaukee 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