UX Designer Salary in Downers Grove, IL: $57,890 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Downers Grove, IL earns a median $57,890/year (≈ $27.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Downers Grove's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $59,619 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Downers Grove, Illinois, the anticipated median compensation for a UX designer is projected at $57,890 for the year 2026. This figure stands in contrast to the national median salary of $83,320, highlighting a significant gap of 30.52%. The local salary range extends from $33,577 at the lower tenth percentile to $89,730 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These estimates, drawn from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost disparities, reflect the current market dynamics following the wave of design industry layoffs in recent years. As companies have adapted, the job market has remained relatively stable, offering opportunities for designers to navigate fluctuating demands for their skills in a recovering economy.
About the Downers Grove Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,577 | $16.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,746 | $20.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,890 | $27.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,099 | $35.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,730 | $43.14 |
Median Salary Position
30.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Downers Grove
In Downers Grove, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,153 (2026 est.). At $57,890, the local median is 30.52% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Downers Grove: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Downers Grove UX Designer Pay Compares
Downers Grove median: $57,890/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Downers Grove Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,681 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -30.52% less |
UX Designers in Downers Grove, IL earn a median of $57,890 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.52% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.60% below the Illinois state average of $60,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Downers Grove 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.
Downers Grove, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $57,890 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,619 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$41,630
2025 BLS Actual
$54,194
2026 Current Est.
$57,890
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Downers Grove (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,376 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,349 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,562 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,194 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,890 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,838 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Downers Grove metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $41,630 (2021) to $54,194 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,838 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,208 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Downers Grove 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) | $33,577 – $41,746 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,746 – $57,890 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,890 – $74,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,099 – $89,730 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Downers Grove
In terms of employment, Downers Grove currently hosts a modest pool of 11 UX designers, reflecting both local demand and competition in this creative field. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, professionals in Downers Grove enjoy favorable purchasing power compared to larger metropolitan areas. The potential for higher pay exists within established tech firms, especially those within the FAANG group, which often offer significant equity packages and salaries that can greatly exceed local averages. The variation in UX designer pay in Downers Grove can be linked to factors such as company type, design specialty, and individual portfolio strength. For those seeking to maximize their income, building a strong portfolio around high-traffic applications and gaining leadership experience in design management can create pathways to higher compensation in this evolving market. Understanding these local dynamics is essential for UX designers exploring how much they can earn in Downers Grove, IL.
More salary data for Downers Grove, 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 $54,194 for ux designersin the Downers Grove 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 Downers Grove 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