UX Designer Salary in Cedar Rapids, IA: $59,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Cedar Rapids, IA earns a median $59,638/year (≈ $28.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Cedar Rapids's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.0), that paycheck buys what $67,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, the projected median annual salary for UX designers stands at $59,638 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, reflecting a regional pay disparity. The salary range in this market fluctuates from $38,047 at the lower end to $86,652 for the top earners, with many factors influencing these figures. Professionals in this field often face a choice between working for large tech companies, design agencies, or in-house teams. Each option carries different compensation structures and job environments, where the former typically offers higher pay and equity opportunities, while agencies might provide varied project work. Despite the attractive financial incentives presented by FAANG companies, many UX designers in Cedar Rapids find satisfactory compensation and engaging work at local firms that cater to both tech and non-tech sectors.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,047 | $18.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,587 | $22.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,638 | $28.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,652 | $33.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,652 | $41.66 |
Median Salary Position
28.42% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cedar Rapids
In Cedar Rapids, IA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,605 (2026 est.). At $59,638, the local median is 28.42% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cedar Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cedar Rapids UX Designer Pay Compares
Cedar Rapids median: $59,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cedar Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,475 | +5.60% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -28.42% less |
UX Designers in Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $59,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.42% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.60% above the Iowa state average of $56,475.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cedar Rapids has a cost of living 11.04% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cedar Rapids, IA has a cost-of-living index of 88.963 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $59,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,037 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.41% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$60,630
2025 BLS Actual
$55,830
2026 Current Est.
$59,638
2021–2027 Growth
+5.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Cedar Rapids (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $60,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,770 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,830 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,705 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cedar Rapids metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -7.9% from $60,630 (2021) to $55,830 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,705 by 2027 — a total increase of $3,075 (5.07%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cedar Rapids 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) | $38,047 – $46,587 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,587 – $59,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,638 – $69,652 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,652 – $86,652 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Cedar Rapids
Analyzing the local job market, there are currently about 60 UX designers employed in Cedar Rapids. The cost of living index in the area is notably low at 88.963, which enhances overall purchasing power despite salaries being lower than the national average. Employers such as tech firms and startups tend to pay the most, as they align more closely with the national tech market. However, agencies and consulting firms also provide competitive salaries, especially for those with robust portfolios demonstrating high-impact projects. The pay scale varies widely based on factors like company reputation, design specialty, and individual experience. For greater earning potential, UX designers in Cedar Rapids should consider focusing on skillsets that are in high demand, such as design systems and research, and aim for roles that offer stronger growth trajectories both in responsibilities and compensation.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, IA:
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 $55,830 for ux designersin the Cedar Rapids 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
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