UX Designer Salary in Galesburg, IL: $57,560 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Galesburg, IL earns a median $57,560/year (≈ $27.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Galesburg's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $59,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the context of Galesburg, Illinois, the projected median annual salary for a UX designer is anticipated to be $57,560 in 2026. Although this is a notable figure, it falls significantly below the national median of $83,320, creating a disparity of approximately 30.92%. The salary range for Galesburg UX designers varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $33,384, while those at the top of the market can earn as much as $89,218. This local salary data, derived from 2025 BLS estimates and adjusted for regional cost variations, reveals insights into the city's dynamic job market. The choice between pursuing a role in management or continuing on the individual contributor path can influence salary potential, reflecting broader trends within UX design careers.
About the Galesburg Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,384 | $16.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,443 | $19.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,560 | $27.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,677 | $35.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,218 | $42.89 |
Median Salary Position
30.92% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galesburg
In Galesburg, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,834 (2026 est.). At $57,560, the local median is 30.92% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Galesburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galesburg UX Designer Pay Compares
Galesburg median: $57,560/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galesburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,653 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -30.92% less |
UX Designers in Galesburg, IL earn a median of $57,560 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.92% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.10% below the Illinois state average of $60,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galesburg 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.
Galesburg, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $57,560 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,279 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$41,393
2025 BLS Actual
$53,885
2026 Current Est.
$57,560
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Galesburg (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $41,393 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,129 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,056 | Actual |
| 2024 | $88,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,885 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,560 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,486 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galesburg metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $41,393 (2021) to $53,885 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,093 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galesburg 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) | $33,384 – $41,443 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,443 – $57,560 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,560 – $73,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,677 – $89,218 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Galesburg
Currently, Galesburg has a small but notable workforce of four employed UX designers, which indicates an emerging job market for this specialty in the area. The cost of living index stands at 97.1, slightly below the national average, suggesting that while UX designer salaries in Galesburg may appear lower than national figures, the purchasing power for these salaries is relatively favorable. Employers such as in-house product teams at non-tech companies generally offer more stable income compared to consulting firms and startups. The variation between salaries can often be traced back to company scale, with larger tech firms or established agencies providing higher pay due to their resources. To maximize earning potential, UX designers in Galesburg should focus on building strong portfolios featuring successful projects, especially those that demonstrate expertise with tools like Figma. Securing positions that leverage design systems or research skills may also enhance career trajectories and salary prospects in this evolving market.
More salary data for Galesburg, 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 $53,885 for ux designersin the Galesburg 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 Galesburg 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