Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Joliet, IL: $34,966 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Joliet, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $34,966 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Joliet's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,010 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($60,287) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates embarking on a career as UX designers in Joliet, Illinois can anticipate a starting salary around the P10 level of $34,966. This amount stands in stark contrast to the city’s median annual salary of $60,287, highlighting a significant gap that entry-level designers need to navigate in their early careers. Nevertheless, there’s potential for growth; as new designers gain experience, they could see their earnings rise towards the P25 level of $43,406 and eventually work their way up to the median. With an annual growth rate of 6.82% projected over the next five years, Joliet presents a promising market for new grads eager to break into the field, especially in a region where the cost of living is slightly below the national average.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Joliet
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 Joliet
Entry-level ux designers in Joliet, IL typically start between $34,966 and $43,406 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $58,479 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $60,287 — 27.64% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Illinois of $85,000 represents just 243.09% of the starting ux designer pay ($34,966/year) in Joliet. 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 Joliet
- 1Research the Joliet market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $34,966 to $43,406, 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 Joliet, 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 Joliet for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Joliet'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 Joliet is $58,479 ( 167.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $34,966, experienced hygienists can earn up to $93,445.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$23,477
2025 BLS Actual
$32,734
2026 Current Est.
$34,966
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Joliet (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23,477 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,248 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,493 | Actual |
| 2025 | $32,734 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34,966 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37,351 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Joliet, IL grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,477 in 2021 to $32,734 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $37,351. New graduates entering the Joliet job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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 Joliet
Employers in Joliet actively seek out fresh talent in UX design, with a range of opportunities available across various sectors. While large tech companies like FAANG and others predominantly recruit from top design programs and rely on internships to secure new graduate hires, local digital agencies offer paths through portfolio reviews and customized projects. Organizations with in-house product teams also look for junior designers, while freelance platforms cater to those who’ve built a strong portfolio, highlighting the importance of practical experience. Graduates typically hold a Bachelor's degree in design, HCI, or a related field, but their ability to showcase a solid portfolio could often be more influential than their degree itself. In this competitive environment, familiarity with industry-standard tools like Figma, along with ongoing learning in specialization areas such as design systems, can significantly enhance earning potential and career advancement for those just starting out in Joliet.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Joliet in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Joliet?
Is user experience design school worth it in Joliet?
What do new ux designers make right out of school in Joliet?
How do I become a ux designer in Illinois?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Joliet. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Joliet 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