UX Designer Salary in Arlington Heights, IL: $59,713 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Arlington Heights, IL earns a median $59,713/year (≈ $28.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Arlington Heights's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,496 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary for UX designers in Arlington Heights, IL, will see a median annual compensation of $59,713, placing local earnings 28.33% below the national median of $83,320. The salary range for these professionals in Arlington Heights stretches from $34,634 at the 10th percentile to $92,556 at the 90th percentile. Such figures, derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional pricing, reflect a considerable diversity in pay depending on the employment path chosen. Designers who work in FAANG companies, with their high pay and emphasis on equity, tend to earn more than those at digital agencies or non-tech companies, where salaries are typically lower. This dynamic influences the UX designer pay landscape locally, indicating that despite the opportunities in Arlington Heights, competition for top-tier roles remains for those with standout portfolios and specialized skill sets.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,634 | $16.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,162 | $20.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,713 | $28.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,433 | $36.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,556 | $44.50 |
Median Salary Position
28.33% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington Heights
In Arlington Heights, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,922 (2026 est.). At $59,713, the local median is 28.33% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington Heights: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heights UX Designer Pay Compares
Arlington Heights median: $59,713/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Heights Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,684 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -28.33% less |
UX Designers in Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $59,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.33% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $60,684.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington Heights has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington Heights, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $59,713 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,496 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$42,942
2025 BLS Actual
$55,901
2026 Current Est.
$59,713
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Arlington Heights (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,966 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,352 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,901 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,713 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,786 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington Heights metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $42,942 (2021) to $55,901 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,844 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington Heights 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,634 – $43,162 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,162 – $59,713 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,713 – $76,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,433 – $92,556 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Arlington Heights
With 18 UX designers currently employed in Arlington Heights, the local market demonstrates potential for growth, especially considering the projected annual growth rate of 6.82% over the next five years. A cost-of-living index at 97.1 suggests that while salaries may lag behind the national average, purchasing power in the area remains somewhat favorable. The most lucrative roles are likely found within technology firms, particularly those that align with larger companies like Microsoft and Adobe, which tend to offer better compensation than smaller boutiques or in-house teams. Salary discrepancies arise from factors such as company prestige, designer specialty, and the strength of the applicant's portfolio. For those looking to maximize earnings in Arlington Heights, focusing on building a strong portfolio with projects that highlight expertise in user research and design systems using Figma can give candidates a competitive edge.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, 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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,901 for ux designersin the Arlington Heights metropolitan area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Arlington Heights 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