UX Designer Salary in Joliet, IL: $60,287 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Joliet, IL earns a median $60,287/year (≈ $28.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,088 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average ux designer salary in Joliet, Illinois, stands at $60,287, a figure that reflects the local market's resilience following the significant design layoffs in 2023 and 2024. The salary range illustrates the diversity within this role, with start points as low as $34,966 and peaks up to $93,445. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data, account for regional price disparities, highlighting the unique salary landscape here compared to national trends. While the national median ux designer pay hovers around $83,320, Joliet's numbers suggest a noteworthy salary adjustment for local living costs. As the job market adjusts, it appears that Joliet continues to offer solid opportunities for skilled designers looking to establish themselves.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,966 | $16.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,406 | $20.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,287 | $28.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,168 | $37.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,445 | $44.93 |
Median Salary Position
27.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,479 (2026 est.). At $60,287, the local median is 27.64% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet UX Designer Pay Compares
Joliet median: $60,287/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,651 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -27.64% less |
UX Designers in Joliet, IL earn a median of $60,287 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.64% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $60,651.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet 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.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $60,287 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,088 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$43,354
2025 BLS Actual
$56,438
2026 Current Est.
$60,287
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Joliet (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,354 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,172 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,438 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,287 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,399 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $43,354 (2021) to $56,438 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,399 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,045 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $34,966 – $43,406 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,406 – $60,287 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,287 – $77,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,168 – $93,445 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Joliet
The employment picture in Joliet features a tight-knit community of 25 ux designers, which reflects a consistent demand despite the fluctuating tech sector. With a cost of living index of 97.1, professionals here enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to other regions. Salaries within the area vary substantially, with top pay typically found among larger tech firms, particularly those branded as FAANG or similar. However, many companies also value design talent that has demonstrated versatility across various specialties, such as research, product design, and visual design. To maximize earnings, designers should focus on building a strong portfolio that highlights involvement in heavily-trafficked applications or complex projects, potentially opening doors to higher-paying opportunities in both established firms and agile startups. Adjusting one's skill set to meet today’s industry demands, particularly in creating robust design systems with tools like Figma, can give local designers a competitive edge in negotiations for better compensation packages or freelance contracts.
More salary data for Joliet, 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 $56,438 for ux designersin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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