Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Green Bay, WI: $39,080 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Green Bay, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $39,080 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Green Bay's local price level (BEA RPP 93.1 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,983 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($70,942) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Graduating with a UX design degree in 2026 offers new professionals a starting point in Green Bay, Wisconsin, where the entry-level UX designer salary is projected at $39,080. Although this figure sits significantly below the overall city median of $70,942, it provides a clear path for upward progression as experience and skill develop. In the first three to five years, a dedicated designer could see their salary rise through the tiers—from the entry level to around $52,035, eventually aiming for the median. For new graduates, Green Bay represents a viable market to kickstart their careers, particularly given its cost of living index, which sits below the national average, thus making it an attractive place to begin a professional journey in UX design.
Career Earnings Timeline in Green Bay
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 Green Bay
Entry-level ux designers in Green Bay, WI typically start between $39,080 and $52,035 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $67,161 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $70,942 — 14.86% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in Wisconsin of $55,000 represents just 140.74% of the starting ux designer pay ($39,080/year) in Green Bay. 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 Green Bay
- 1Research the Green Bay market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $39,080 to $52,035, 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 WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Green Bay, 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 Green Bay for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Green Bay'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 Green Bay is $67,161 ( 171.86%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $39,080, experienced hygienists can earn up to $106,241.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$26,239
2025 BLS Actual
$36,585
2026 Current Est.
$39,080
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Green Bay (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $26,239 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,814 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,585 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,080 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,745 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Green Bay, WI grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $26,239 in 2021 to $36,585 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $41,745. New graduates entering the Green Bay job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Green Bay 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 Green Bay
The local landscape features a variety of employers eager to bring in fresh talent. Technology companies, along with digital agencies and in-house teams from various industries, frequently recruit entry-level UX designers. Major tech firms often provide pathways through internships that can lead to job offers, while design agencies tend to focus on strong portfolios to evaluate candidates. Credentials play a significant role in determining initial compensation. A bachelor's degree in design or a related field, combined with proficiency in Figma and an impressive portfolio, is crucial. Those opting for a master's in Human-Computer Interaction or related disciplines can enhance their appeal further. In the first few years, designers can expect gradual salary growth, often influenced by specialization in design systems or product design, as the industry evolves following recent workforce adjustments and layoffs. In this context, new graduates should strategically position themselves to take advantage of the diverse opportunities available in Green Bay, WI.
More salary data for Green Bay, WI:
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 Green Bay. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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