UX Designer Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL: $59,345 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Lake in the Hills, IL earns a median $59,345/year (≈ $28.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Lake in the Hills's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $61,117 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lake in the Hills, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in 2026 is $59,345, significantly below the national median of $83,320. The salary range spans from $34,420 at the lower end (P10) to $91,985 at the upper end (P90). These figures are derived from local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variances. The market here creates a unique tradeoff for UX designers between advancing in management roles or focusing on individual contributor tracks. While high-level individual contributors at tech giants can push compensation further, local opportunities tend to favor those looking for roles in smaller tech companies or digital product agencies, reflecting a less competitive environment compared to larger metropolitan regions.
About the Lake in the Hills Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,420 | $16.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,728 | $20.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,345 | $28.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,962 | $36.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,985 | $44.22 |
Median Salary Position
28.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake in the Hills
In Lake in the Hills, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,565 (2026 est.). At $59,345, the local median is 28.77% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake in the Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake in the Hills UX Designer Pay Compares
Lake in the Hills median: $59,345/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake in the Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,680 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -28.77% less |
UX Designers in Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $59,345 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.77% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $60,680.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake in the Hills 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.
Lake in the Hills, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $59,345 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,117 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$42,677
2025 BLS Actual
$55,556
2026 Current Est.
$59,345
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Lake in the Hills (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,677 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,639 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,556 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,345 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,392 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake in the Hills metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $42,677 (2021) to $55,556 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,392 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,715 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake in the Hills 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) | $34,420 – $42,728 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,728 – $59,345 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,345 – $75,962 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,962 – $91,985 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Lake in the Hills
With only six UX designers currently employed in Lake in the Hills, the local job market is relatively small but stable. The cost of living index in this area is 97.1, which indicates that while salaries may lag behind the national average, they can still offer reasonable purchasing power in the local context. Employers offering the most competitive pay are typically smaller tech companies and in-house product design teams at non-tech firms, rather than the major players in the technology sector. The disparities in compensation can often be attributed to factors such as the company tier, area of specialization, and the strength of one's portfolio. To maximize pay in this market, focusing on building a robust portfolio that showcases widely-used applications, alongside refining skills in research and design systems using Figma, can add significant value for local designers contemplating their career trajectory amidst adjustments in the tech landscape.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, 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 $55,556 for ux designersin the Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills 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