UX Designer Salary in Illinois: $66,991 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 64 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $66,991/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,992 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($66,628), Peoria ($65,963), Chicago ($65,940).

UX Designer Salary in Illinois - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — Illinois ux designer salary overview (2026)

$66,991

Avg Median Salary

$32.21

Avg Hourly Rate

2,223

Metro Employed

Cities

In Illinois, the average median salary for UX designers in 2026 is projected to be $66,991, which is significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, indicating a difference of 19.6%. The highest salaries can be found in Naperville, where earnings are expected to reach $71,172, while Rock Island offers the lowest pay at $55,131. This salary disparity can be attributed to various factors, including the cost of living, local demand for UX design skills, and the presence of tech companies in more affluent areas. Illinois has no specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, which allows for a broader scope of practice within the field. The demand for UI/UX professionals is driven by an increasing reliance on digital products and services across industries, contributing to a projected annual growth rate of 6.82% in employment. Major metropolitan areas like Peoria ($70,462), Chicago ($70,437), Elgin ($69,809), and Decatur ($61,525) also reflect competitive salaries that can attract talent. The job market is steadily expanding, underscoring the role of UX designers in enhancing user experiences in various sectors throughout the state.

Illinois UX Designer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$43,468

avg across 64 cities

Median

$66,991

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$117,401

avg across 64 cities

Overall salary range in Illinois: $31,975 (lowest entry-level) to $129,827 (highest top earner)

Illinois vs National Average

Illinois

$66,991

National Median

$83,320

Illinois ux designers earn 19.6% less than the national median ($-16,329/year difference).

Illinois UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)

UX Designer salaries in Illinois range from $43,468 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $117,401 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,991. The Illinois median is $16,329 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $32.21/hr. Approximately 2,223 ux designers are employed across 64 cities.

2021 BLS Actual

$61,637

2025 BLS Actual

$62,714

2026 Current Est.

$66,991

2021–2027 Growth

+16.1%

Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Illinois (2021–2027)

2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2021	$61,637	Actual
2022	$61,771	Actual
2023	$82,803	Actual
2024	$93,795	Actual
2025	$62,714	Actual
2026(current)	$66,991	Estimated
2027	$71,560	Projected

Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 1.7% from $61,637 (2021) to $62,714 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $71,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,923 (16.10%) from 2021.

Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois

Naperville

23 employed · $34.21/hr

$71,172

+6.24% vs avg

Peoria

30 employed · $33.87/hr

$70,462

+5.18% vs avg

Chicago

1,470 employed · $33.86/hr

$70,437

+5.14% vs avg

Elgin

16 employed · $33.56/hr

$69,809

+4.21% vs avg

Decatur

13 employed · $29.58/hr

$61,525

-8.16% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Rock Island	$55,131	-17.70%	$26.50
Urbana	$55,334	-17.40%	$26.60
Champaign	$55,536	-17.10%	$26.71
Moline	$55,998	-16.41%	$26.92
Carbondale	$56,835	-15.16%	$27.32

Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Illinois

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Peoria	$70,462	91.231	$77,235
Naperville	$71,172	97.1	$73,298
Elgin	$69,809	97.1	$71,894
Chicago	$70,437	103.595	$67,993
Decatur	$61,525	97.1	$63,363

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Illinois

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$43,468	$20.90	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$66,991	$32.21	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$117,401	$56.44	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 64 Cities in Illinois

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Naperville	$71,172	$34.21	$41,280	$110,316	23
2	Peoria	$70,462	$33.87	$37,999	$109,622	30
3	Chicago	$70,437	$33.86	$47,629	$129,827	1,470
4	Elgin	$69,809	$33.56	$40,489	$108,204	16
5	Decatur	$61,525	$29.58	$35,684	$95,364	13
6	Orland Park	$61,525	$29.58	$35,684	$95,364	9
7	Bolingbrook	$61,260	$29.45	$35,530	$94,953	19
8	Palatine	$60,800	$29.23	$35,263	$94,240	16
9	Waukegan	$60,766	$29.22	$35,244	$94,186	18
10	Mount Prospect	$60,650	$29.16	$35,177	$94,008	13
11	Hoffman Estates	$60,454	$29.07	$35,064	$93,704	8
12	Evanston	$60,338	$29.01	$34,996	$93,524	16
13	Joliet	$60,287	$28.98	$34,966	$93,445	25
14	Oak Park	$60,237	$28.96	$34,938	$93,367	10
15	Rockford	$60,185	$28.94	$34,907	$93,286	34
16	Danville	$60,113	$28.91	$34,865	$93,175	5
17	Springfield	$60,081	$28.88	$34,847	$93,126	22
18	Addison	$59,986	$28.84	$34,791	$92,978	6
19	Berwyn	$59,958	$28.83	$34,775	$92,936	12
20	Aurora	$59,920	$28.81	$34,754	$92,876	44
21	Tinley Park	$59,910	$28.80	$34,747	$92,861	8
22	Northbrook	$59,849	$28.78	$34,712	$92,766	8
23	St. Charles	$59,811	$28.76	$34,690	$92,707	7
24	Gurnee	$59,797	$28.75	$34,682	$92,685	8
25	Arlington Heights	$59,713	$28.71	$34,634	$92,556	18
26	Wheaton	$59,637	$28.67	$34,589	$92,437	14
27	Woodridge	$59,618	$28.66	$34,579	$92,409	9
28	Schaumburg	$59,588	$28.65	$34,562	$92,362	13
29	Buffalo Grove	$59,571	$28.64	$34,551	$92,335	7
30	Bartlett	$59,566	$28.64	$34,549	$92,328	9
31	Lake in the Hills	$59,345	$28.53	$34,420	$91,985	6
32	Collinsville	$59,335	$28.53	$34,414	$91,970	5
33	Skokie	$59,319	$28.52	$34,406	$91,945	12
34	Wheeling	$59,232	$28.48	$34,354	$91,810	6
35	Carpentersville	$59,167	$28.45	$34,317	$91,708	8
36	Oak Lawn	$59,127	$28.42	$34,293	$91,647	14
37	O'Fallon	$59,114	$28.42	$34,286	$91,627	6
38	Quincy	$58,883	$28.31	$34,152	$91,269	6
39	Algonquin	$58,883	$28.31	$34,152	$91,269	5
40	Bloomington	$58,862	$28.30	$34,140	$91,236	13
41	Carol Stream	$58,832	$28.29	$34,123	$91,190	10
42	Normal	$58,829	$28.29	$34,120	$91,185	8
43	Lombard	$58,794	$28.26	$34,100	$91,130	8
44	Cicero	$58,733	$28.23	$34,065	$91,036	21
45	Plainfield	$58,672	$28.21	$34,030	$90,941	11
46	Des Plaines	$58,661	$28.20	$34,023	$90,925	12
47	Oswego	$58,436	$28.09	$33,893	$90,576	7
48	DeKalb	$58,389	$28.07	$33,865	$90,503	9
49	Park Ridge	$58,342	$28.05	$33,838	$90,430	7
50	Hanover Park	$58,318	$28.04	$33,825	$90,393	6
51	Glenview	$58,314	$28.04	$33,822	$90,387	12
52	Romeoville	$58,078	$27.92	$33,686	$90,021	7
53	Streamwood	$57,998	$27.88	$33,639	$89,897	8
54	Downers Grove	$57,890	$27.83	$33,577	$89,730	11
55	Belleville	$57,876	$27.83	$33,568	$89,709	10
56	Crystal Lake	$57,782	$27.78	$33,514	$89,562	9
57	Galesburg	$57,560	$27.68	$33,384	$89,218	4
58	Calumet City	$57,542	$27.67	$33,374	$89,189	7
59	Elmhurst	$57,401	$27.59	$33,293	$88,971	9
60	Carbondale	$56,835	$27.32	$33,482	$88,093	5
61	Moline	$55,998	$26.92	$32,479	$86,798	10
62	Champaign	$55,536	$26.71	$44,784	$78,961	30
63	Urbana	$55,334	$26.60	$32,094	$85,768	6
64	Rock Island	$55,131	$26.50	$31,975	$85,453	5

More Illinois Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore ux designer hourly pay in Illinois cities.

Naperville →Peoria →Chicago →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new ux designers.

Naperville →Peoria →Chicago →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.

Naperville →Peoria →Chicago →

Compare Cities in Illinois

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View all comparisons →

Explore More UX Designer Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do ux designers make in Illinois in 2026?

The average median ux designer salary in Illinois is $66,991/year across 64 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $55,131 in Rock Island to $71,172 in Naperville. This makes Illinois 19.6% below the national median of $83,320. The state employs approximately 2,223 ux designers.

What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Illinois?

Naperville offers the highest ux designer salary in Illinois at $71,172/year ($34.21/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Naperville ($71,172), Peoria ($70,462), Chicago ($70,437). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for user experience design services, and competition among employers for licensed ux designers.

How does Illinois ux designer pay compare to the national average?

Illinois's average ux designer salary of $66,991 is 19.6% below the national median of $83,320 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,223 ux designers across 64 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Illinois?

Entry-level ux designers (10th percentile) in Illinois earn approximately $43,468/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $31,975 in lower-paying areas to $47,629 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many ux designers are employed in Illinois?

Illinois employs approximately 2,223 ux designers across 64 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the user experience design field expands and the population ages.

Which Illinois city offers the best value for ux designers?

When adjusted for cost of living, Peoria offers the highest purchasing power for ux designers in Illinois, with an adjusted salary of $77,235 (nominal: $70,462, CoL index: 91.231). This means your dollar goes 10% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.

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.

Clinically reviewed by Ismail Khan, BA, UXDData verified by Aisha Patel, MS

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 64 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (2021–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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