UX Designer Salary in Oswego, IL: $58,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Oswego, IL earns a median $58,436/year (≈ $28.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Oswego's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $60,181 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected ux designer salary in Oswego, Illinois, is estimated at $58,436, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $83,320. The local salary range stretches from $33,893 at the lower end to $90,576 for top earners. These figures are derived from the BLS state-level estimates and adjusted for regional cost dynamics, presenting a clear picture of the market after the turbulent layoffs in the tech industry during the past few years. Despite these setbacks, the local job market remains intact, indicating a resilient demand for skilled ux designers who can adapt to shifting company needs.
About the Oswego Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,893 | $16.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,801 | $20.57 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,436 | $28.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,798 | $35.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,576 | $43.55 |
Median Salary Position
29.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oswego
In Oswego, IL, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,683 (2026 est.). At $58,436, the local median is 29.87% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oswego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oswego UX Designer Pay Compares
Oswego median: $58,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oswego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $60,681 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -29.87% less |
UX Designers in Oswego, IL earn a median of $58,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.87% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.70% below the Illinois state average of $60,681.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oswego 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.
Oswego, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $58,436 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,181 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$42,023
2025 BLS Actual
$54,705
2026 Current Est.
$58,436
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Oswego (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $42,023 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,785 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,398 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,705 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,421 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oswego metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $42,023 (2021) to $54,705 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,421 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,398 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oswego 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) | $33,893 – $42,801 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,801 – $58,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,436 – $74,798 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,798 – $90,576 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Oswego
Currently, there are seven ux designers employed in Oswego, IL, underscoring a niche but solid presence in the local market. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, professionals need to consider how take-home pay aligns against local expenses. Companies in Oswego, including in-house design teams and boutique agencies, typically offer varying levels of compensation based on experience and portfolio strength. The spread in salaries often reflects the types of employers—from high-caliber tech firms that provide competitive pay and stock options, to agencies that may pay less but offer diverse project experiences. Maximizing compensation in this area could involve seeking roles with top-tier employers, focusing on building a strong portfolio that highlights experience with user research and design management, and continuously refining skills in industry-standard tools like Figma.
More salary data for Oswego, 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 $54,705 for ux designersin the Oswego 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 Oswego 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