Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Burlington, IA: $31,461 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Burlington, IA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $31,461 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Burlington's local price level (BEA RPP 90.4 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $34,802 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($54,242) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Positioning yourself as a new graduate entering the UX design field in Burlington, Iowa can yield a starting salary around $31,461 in 2026, which sits significantly below the city’s median annual salary of $54,242. This entry-level figure highlights the gap that new designers need to navigate as they progress in the early years of their careers. Despite the modest starting pay, there is potential for growth, with salaries realistically expected to increase toward $39,054 and possibly reaching the median of $54,242 within just a few years. This trajectory makes Burlington a reasonable market for new graduates at the outset of their careers, offering opportunities for skills development and compensation improvement as they gain experience.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Burlington
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 Burlington
Entry-level ux designers in Burlington, IA typically start between $31,461 and $39,054 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $52,614 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $54,242 — 34.9% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Iowa of $55,000 represents just 174.82% of the starting ux designer pay ($31,461/year) in Burlington. 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 Burlington
- 1Research the Burlington market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $31,461 to $39,054, 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 IA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Burlington, 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 Burlington for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Burlington's below-average 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 Burlington is $52,614 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $31,461, experienced hygienists can earn up to $84,075.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$21,123
2025 BLS Actual
$29,452
2026 Current Est.
$31,461
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $21,123 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,616 | Actual |
| 2023 | $26,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,326 | Actual |
| 2025 | $29,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,461 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33,606 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Burlington, IA grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $21,123 in 2021 to $29,452 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $33,606. New graduates entering the Burlington job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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 Burlington
Several local companies actively hire early-career UX designers, providing fertile ground for new grads entering the workforce. While larger tech firms may not have a presence in Burlington, smaller agencies and in-house product teams within various industries are often willing to onboard new talent, especially those showcasing a portfolio that effectively demonstrates their skills. To enhance their starting pay, new grads should aim to build a compelling portfolio and gain proficiency in tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite, as credentials and hands-on experience are critical in this field. Many employers look for evidence of practical work, even beyond formal education. After the wave of layoffs in 2023-2024, understanding the bifurcation between high-paying roles in FAANG companies and the opportunities offered by agencies can be beneficial. Consequently, entry-level designers should anticipate realistic salary growth in the first few years of their careers, especially as they specialize in areas like design systems, which align with industry trends.
More salary data for Burlington, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Burlington in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Burlington?
Is user experience design school worth it in Burlington?
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How do I become a ux designer in Iowa?
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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 Burlington. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Burlington 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