UX Designer Salary in Bloomington, IN: $56,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Bloomington, IN earns a median $56,547/year (≈ $27.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Bloomington's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $61,935 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bloomington, Indiana, the projected annual salary for a UX designer in 2026 is estimated at $56,547, which reflects a striking 32.13% disparity when compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range for this role spans from a lower bound of $32,797 to an upper limit of $87,648, showcasing ample variability within the local market. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, highlighting the nuances of the Bloomington job market. For designers gravitating towards the individual contributor (IC) path, they may find compensation peaking at specialized firms or larger tech companies, while management roles typically offer a different trajectory with less lucrative pay scales.
About the Bloomington Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($78,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,797 | $15.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,356 | $19.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,547 | $27.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,380 | $34.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,648 | $42.14 |
Median Salary Position
32.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bloomington
In Bloomington, IN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,851 (2026 est.). At $56,547, the local median is 32.13% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bloomington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bloomington UX Designer Pay Compares
Bloomington median: $56,547/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bloomington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $57,061 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -32.13% less |
UX Designers in Bloomington, IN earn a median of $56,547 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.13% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.90% below the Indiana state average of $57,061.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bloomington has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bloomington, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $56,547 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,935 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,665
2025 BLS Actual
$52,937
2026 Current Est.
$56,547
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Bloomington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,665 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,400 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,158 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,937 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,404 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bloomington metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $40,665 (2021) to $52,937 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,404 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,739 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bloomington 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) | $32,797 – $41,356 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,356 – $56,547 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,547 – $72,380 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,380 – $87,648 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Bloomington
The local UX job market consists of only 13 employed UX designers, indicating a niche but potentially tight-knit community. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, the purchasing power for salaries in Bloomington is relatively favorable, allowing for better take-home value compared to pricier regions. Employers, however, vary significantly in terms of pay; established tech firms generally compensate better than boutique agencies or in-house teams at non-tech companies. Factors like company type, design specialty (such as research versus product design), and the individual's portfolio influence the range of salaries. To maximize earnings in this specific environment, designers should concentrate on building a strong portfolio showcasing heavily-trafficked applications, consider transitioning into management roles where applicable, or align with larger tech firms that offer equity and stock options.
More salary data for Bloomington, IN:
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 $52,937 for ux designersin the Bloomington 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 Bloomington 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