Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Belleville, IL: $33,568 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Belleville, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $33,568 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Belleville's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $34,571 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($57,876) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Starting out as a UX designer in Belleville, IL, new graduates can expect an entry-level salary that begins at around $33,568. While this figure represents the lowest 10% of salaries, the path to more competitive pay appears promising. The median annual salary for all UX designers in the area sits at $57,876, which indicates that early-career professionals can anticipate upward movement as they gain experience and refine their skills. With consistent growth projections of 6.82% annually over the next five years, those starting in this field can realistically aim for salaries between $41,720 at the 25th percentile and higher figures as they progress. Given these figures, Belleville presents an encouraging job market for new grads entering the UX design field in 2026.
About the Belleville Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Belleville
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belleville
Entry-level ux designers in Belleville, IL typically start between $33,568 and $41,720 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $56,141 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $57,876 — 30.54% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Illinois of $85,000 represents just 253.22% of the starting ux designer pay ($33,568/year) in Belleville. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect NASAD-accredited bachelor's programs in graphic design, interaction design, or human-computer interaction. Shorter UX bootcamps ($10k-$20k) are a common alternative entry pathway. SOC 15-1255 (Web and Digital Interface Designers) is the dedicated UX/UI code BLS introduced in 2018 — distinct from 27-1024 (Graphic Designers, $61,300 median) and 15-1254 (Web Developers).
UX Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Belleville
- 1Research the Belleville market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $33,568 to $41,720, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the user experience design field — employers in IL often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Belleville, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Belleville for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Belleville's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
UX Designer Compensation Range
The ux designer wage spread in Belleville is $56,141 ( 167.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $33,568, experienced hygienists can earn up to $89,709.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$22,538
2025 BLS Actual
$31,425
2026 Current Est.
$33,568
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Belleville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22,538 | Actual |
| 2022 | $25,198 | Actual |
| 2023 | $28,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,354 | Actual |
| 2025 | $31,425 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33,568 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35,858 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Belleville, IL grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $22,538 in 2021 to $31,425 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $35,858. New graduates entering the Belleville job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belleville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 6.82% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your user experience design Career in Belleville
In Belleville, companies that hire new UX designers often range from technology firms to digital agencies and in-house product teams, with larger players in tech like FAANG brands typically favoring candidates from top design programs. New graduates should focus on building a strong portfolio, as practical experience often matters more than educational background, even though a degree related to design or HCI is beneficial. Mastering tools such as Figma, Adobe Creative Suite, and Sketch will significantly enhance employability in this competitive market. As recent layoffs in the tech sector have affected hiring practices, it is crucial for early-career designers to position themselves as adaptable practitioners capable of contributing to various projects. In their first three years, salary growth may vary, but many new designers can expect increases as they gain relevant experience—especially if they hone their skills in areas such as design systems, which are increasingly in demand.
More salary data for Belleville, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new user experience design graduates. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Belleville. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Belleville is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for ux designers (SOC 15-1255).
Compiled and verified by Maria Chen, MDes, a licensed ux designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov