UX Designer Salary in Iowa: $57,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $57,724/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,854 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Des Moines ($56,760), West Des Moines ($56,027), Cedar Rapids ($55,830).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in Iowa is projected to be $57,724, significantly below the national median of $83,320, representing a difference of 30.7%. Des Moines offers the highest salaries at $60,631, while Fort Dodge presents the lowest at $51,855. This disparity of $8,776 can be attributed to factors such as the presence of larger tech companies and a greater demand for design talent in urban centers compared to more rural areas. Iowa’s job market for UX designers is forecasted to grow at an annual rate of 6.82%, indicating a healthy demand for this skill set. There are currently 534 UX designers employed in the state, with top cities projected to be Des Moines ($60,631), West Des Moines ($59,848), Cedar Rapids ($59,638), Sioux City ($56,899), and Iowa City ($56,263). While there are no specific state licensing requirements for UX designers, the demand for skilled professionals is driven by the increasing digital transformation across various industries. Understanding local market dynamics and technological needs can help aspiring designers tailor their skills effectively in Iowa’s evolving job landscape.
Iowa UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $27,736 (lowest entry-level) to $107,610 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa ux designers earn 30.72% less than the national median ($-25,596/year difference).
Iowa UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Iowa range from $32,127 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,097 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,724. The Iowa median is $25,596 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $27.75/hr. Approximately 534 ux designers are employed across 26 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$56,465
2025 BLS Actual
$54,039
2026 Current Est.
$57,724
2021–2027 Growth
+9.2%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Iowa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $56,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,889 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,456 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,859 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,039 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,661 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -4.3% from $56,465 (2021) to $54,039 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,661 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,196 (9.20%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $51,855 |
| Johnston | $52,433 |
| Ottumwa | $52,560 |
| Muscatine | $52,759 |
| Clinton | $53,009 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids | $59,638 | 88.963 | $67,037 |
| West Des Moines | $59,848 | 90.4 | $66,204 |
| Des Moines | $60,631 | 91.701 | $66,118 |
| Sioux City | $56,899 | 90.4 | $62,941 |
| Dubuque | $54,398 | 87.328 | $62,292 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $32,127 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,724 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,097 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Des Moines | $60,631 |
| 2 | West Des Moines | $59,848 |
| 3 | Cedar Rapids | $59,638 |
| 4 | Sioux City | $56,899 |
| 5 | Iowa City | $56,263 |
| 6 | Ames | $56,214 |
| 7 | Cedar Falls | $55,964 |
| 8 | Marion | $55,547 |
| 9 | Davenport | $55,023 |
| 10 | Waterloo | $54,979 |
| 11 | Ankeny | $54,899 |
| 12 | Council Bluffs | $54,554 |
| 13 | Dubuque | $54,398 |
| 14 | Burlington | $54,242 |
| 15 | Waukee | $54,047 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $53,974 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $53,970 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $53,803 |
| 19 | Coralville | $53,733 |
| 20 | Mason City | $53,483 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $53,273 |
| 22 | Clinton | $53,009 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $52,759 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $52,560 |
| 25 | Johnston | $52,433 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $51,855 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore ux designer hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Iowa?
How does Iowa ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Iowa?
How many ux designers are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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