Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Orland Park, IL: $35,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Orland Park, IL job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $35,684 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Orland Park's local price level (BEA RPP 97.1 — 3% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $36,750 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($61,525) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New graduates entering the UX design field in Orland Park, IL, can expect a starting ux designer salary around $35,684, which is significantly lower than the city median of $61,525. This initial figure reflects the challenges faced by entry-level candidates, who must build their skills and portfolios to move beyond entry-level pay. Over the first three to five years, a typical progression may see salaries increase from this starting point to around $44,298 at the 25th percentile, approaching the median as they gain experience. Given the competitive job market and a projected annual growth rate of 6.82%, recent graduates should consider Orland Park a reasonable market for entry-level opportunities, especially if they’re willing to bolster their qualifications through internships or relevant projects.
About the Orland Park Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Orland Park
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 Orland Park
Entry-level ux designers in Orland Park, IL typically start between $35,684 and $44,298 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $59,680 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $61,525 — 26.16% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Illinois of $85,000 represents just 238.20% of the starting ux designer pay ($35,684/year) in Orland Park. 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 Orland Park
- 1Research the Orland Park market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $35,684 to $44,298, 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 Orland Park, 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 Orland Park for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Orland Park'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 Orland Park is $59,680 ( 167.25%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $35,684, experienced hygienists can earn up to $95,364.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$23,959
2025 BLS Actual
$33,406
2026 Current Est.
$35,684
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Orland Park (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $26,787 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,963 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,591 | Actual |
| 2025 | $33,406 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,118 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Orland Park, IL grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $23,959 in 2021 to $33,406 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,118. New graduates entering the Orland Park job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Orland Park 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 Orland Park
In Orland Park, several employers hire new grad UX designers, typically including tech companies and digital agencies. Industry giants like Microsoft and Adobe often recruit from top design programs, while local digital agencies may value strong portfolios and creativity in their hiring processes. For new grads, credentials can significantly impact starting pay in Illinois. While a Bachelor's degree in design or a related field is desirable, having a robust portfolio showcasing skills in widely used tools like Figma can be more important. Those considering a Master’s in HCI or Interaction Design from prestigious institutions may find themselves at an advantage. The first few years of one’s career should largely focus on gaining a diverse range of experiences, whether in an agency environment, where project variety is high, or focusing on design systems in tech settings. Salary growth expectations can vary widely; however, those who capitalize on industry trends and enhance their skills can see significant improvements as they navigate their early careers in the UX field.
More salary data for Orland Park, 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 Orland Park. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Orland Park 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