UX Designer Salary in Aurora, IL: $59,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Aurora, IL earns a median $59,920/year (≈ $28.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,710 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of restructuring and layoffs that impacted many tech roles during 2023, the UX designer salary in Aurora, Illinois, has stabilized with promising projections for 2026. The estimated median annual salary stands at $59,920, which is significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, highlighting a regional pay gap that reflects both local market conditions and a cost of living index of 97.1. The salary range for UX designers in Aurora reflects a diverse market, with entry-level positions starting around $34,754 and experienced designers potentially earning up to $92,876. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, suggest a resilient local job market with opportunities for design professionals despite broader industry challenges.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,754 | $16.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,142 | $20.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,920 | $28.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,697 | $36.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,876 | $44.65 |
Median Salary Position
28.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,122 (2026 est.). At $59,920, the local median is 28.08% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora UX Designer Pay Compares
Aurora median: $59,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,647 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -28.08% less |
UX Designers in Aurora, IL earn a median of $59,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.08% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.20% below the Illinois state average of $60,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora 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.
Aurora, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $59,920 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,710 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$43,090
2025 BLS Actual
$56,094
2026 Current Est.
$59,920
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Aurora (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,090 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,897 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,149 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,667 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,094 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,006 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $43,090 (2021) to $56,094 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,916 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $34,754 – $43,142 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,142 – $59,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,920 – $76,697 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,697 – $92,876 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Aurora
With 44 UX designers currently employed in the Aurora area, the local job market is capturing some attention, particularly as the demand for skilled designers continues to rise. The cost of living index at 97.1 indicates that although salaries might seem lower compared to the national average, the purchasing power for residents can still be relatively favorable. Leading employers in Aurora often include digital product design teams and mid-tier tech companies, with pay varying across sectors; enterprise firms typically offer higher compensation due to their equity and benefits packages. Salary discrepancies arise from several factors: the prestige of the hiring company, the complexity and specialization of the role, and the designer's portfolio quality. To maximize earning potential in this local market, emerging and established designers should focus on building a solid portfolio that showcases experience with heavily-trafficked applications and consider networking with established tech firms that are willing to invest more in their design teams.
More salary data for Aurora, 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 $56,094 for ux designersin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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