UX Designer Salary in Coralville, IA: $53,733 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Coralville, IA earns a median $53,733/year (≈ $25.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Coralville's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $59,439 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for a UX designer in Coralville, Iowa, is $53,733. This figure reflects the local market's adaptation following the widespread layoffs in the tech sector during 2023-2024. The salary range for UX designers in Coralville spans from $31,165 at the lower decile (P10) to $83,285 at the upper decile (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price variances. Comparatively, UX designer pay in Coralville lags behind the national median salary of $83,320 by approximately 35.51%. Nevertheless, the anticipated annual growth rate of 6.82% suggests that there is potential for salary improvement as the local market stabilizes and the demand for design professionals continues to evolve.
About the Coralville Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,165 | $14.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,687 | $18.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,733 | $25.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,778 | $33.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,285 | $40.04 |
Median Salary Position
35.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Coralville
In Coralville, IA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,120 (2026 est.). At $53,733, the local median is 35.51% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Coralville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Coralville UX Designer Pay Compares
Coralville median: $53,733/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Coralville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,501 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -35.51% less |
UX Designers in Coralville, IA earn a median of $53,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.51% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.90% below the Iowa state average of $56,501.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Coralville has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Coralville, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $53,733 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,439 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2021 BLS Actual
$38,641
2025 BLS Actual
$50,302
2026 Current Est.
$53,733
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Coralville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,641 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,261 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,661 | Actual |
| 2024 | $68,874 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,302 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,733 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,397 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Coralville metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $38,641 (2021) to $50,302 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,397 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,756 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Coralville 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) | $31,165 – $38,687 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,687 – $53,733 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,733 – $68,778 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,778 – $83,285 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Coralville
As of 2026, Coralville is home to a small but established community of six UX designers, each navigating a cost-of-living index of 90.4, which positions Coralville slightly below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances take-home purchasing power for designers in the area. Among local employers, tech companies are likely to provide the highest compensation, particularly those classified as FAANG and other prominent players in the market. However, candidates should be aware that salary variation in Coralville is influenced by factors such as company tier, specialization within the field—like research versus product design—and the strength of one’s portfolio. To maximize pay potential in this market, UX designers should lean into roles that demand proficiency in skills related to design systems and tools like Figma, as well as consider avenues like freelance contracts or consulting, which can sometimes offer more competitive rates compared to traditional in-house positions.
More salary data for Coralville, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Coralville, IA in 2026?
Is Coralville, IA a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Coralville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Coralville?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Coralville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $50,302 for ux designersin the Coralville 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 Coralville 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