UX Designer Salary in Evanston, IL: $60,338 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Evanston, IL earns a median $60,338/year (≈ $29.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Evanston's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,140 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The compensation landscape for UX designers in Evanston, Illinois, reveals a median annual salary of $60,338 in 2026, which reflects a notable 27.58% lower rate compared to the national median of $83,320. Salaries in the local market span from $34,996 at the lower percentile to $93,524 at the upper end, indicating the potential for significant earnings based on experience and specialization. These estimates emerge from projections based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions and price parities. Those in Evanston looking to progress might focus on the trade-off between individual contributor roles and management positions, with the former generally offering more lucrative opportunities in high-paying tech companies.
About the Evanston Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,996 | $16.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,444 | $20.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,338 | $29.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,233 | $37.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,524 | $44.96 |
Median Salary Position
27.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evanston
In Evanston, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,528 (2026 est.). At $60,338, the local median is 27.58% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evanston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evanston UX Designer Pay Compares
Evanston median: $60,338/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evanston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,703 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -27.58% less |
UX Designers in Evanston, IL earn a median of $60,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.58% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $60,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evanston 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.
Evanston, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $60,338 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,140 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$43,391
2025 BLS Actual
$56,486
2026 Current Est.
$60,338
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Evanston (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,211 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,338 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,453 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evanston metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $43,391 (2021) to $56,486 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,453 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,062 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evanston 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) | $34,996 – $43,444 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,444 – $60,338 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,338 – $77,233 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,233 – $93,524 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Evanston
Evanston hosts a relatively small pool of employment opportunities, with only 16 UX designers currently working in the area. This limited scope is compounded by a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, the purchasing power remains competitive within the region. Employers such as FAANG companies and digital product agencies typically offer the most competitive salaries, but those in in-house teams or freelance roles may face a wider range in compensation. Variations in pay arise from factors such as company type, design specialty, and the strength of the designer's portfolio, particularly those showcasing work on popular applications. To maximize earning potential in this environment, UX designers in Evanston should prioritize developing skills in high-demand areas such as design systems and consider roles that offer equity or RSUs, especially in tech firms where compensation packages are often designed to attract top talent.
More salary data for Evanston, 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 $56,486 for ux designersin the Evanston 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 Evanston 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