UX Designer Salary in Fort Dodge, IA: $51,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Fort Dodge, IA earns a median $51,855/year (≈ $24.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Fort Dodge's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $57,362 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in Fort Dodge, Iowa, is set at $51,855, which significantly trails the national median of $83,320 by 37.76%. Salaries in this local market range from a low of $30,076 at the 10th percentile to a high of $80,375 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential for specialists in the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, reflect a job market absorbing the aftermath of the design layoffs observed post-2023. As the local economy stabilizes, opportunities for UX designers are gradually improving, albeit with compensation that remains comparatively lower than many other regions.
About the Fort Dodge Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,076 | $14.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,534 | $18.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,855 | $24.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,374 | $31.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,375 | $38.64 |
Median Salary Position
37.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Dodge
In Fort Dodge, IA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,299 (2026 est.). At $51,855, the local median is 37.76% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fort Dodge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Dodge UX Designer Pay Compares
Fort Dodge median: $51,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Dodge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,487 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -37.76% less |
UX Designers in Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $51,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.76% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $56,487.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Dodge 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.
Fort Dodge, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $51,855 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,362 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$37,290
2025 BLS Actual
$48,544
2026 Current Est.
$51,855
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Fort Dodge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,854 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,468 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,544 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,391 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Dodge metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $37,290 (2021) to $48,544 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,391 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,101 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Dodge 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) | $30,076 – $37,534 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,534 – $51,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,855 – $66,374 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,374 – $80,375 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Fort Dodge
Examining the local job landscape reveals that only four UX designers are currently employed in Fort Dodge, indicating a niche market for this role. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, the lower expenses in Fort Dodge allow for a somewhat different take-home purchasing power than in pricier regions. Among local employers, in-house product design teams within non-tech companies may provide some of the higher salaries for UX positions, although FAANG companies are not present. The vast pay disparity often stems from factors such as company prestige, the complexity of projects, and individual portfolio strength. For those seeking to maximize their ux designer pay in Fort Dodge, honing skills in design systems and demonstrating proficiency with industry tools like Figma can be particularly advantageous. Engaging with local networks or considering contract work could also enhance earning potential amid this evolving job market.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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 $48,544 for ux designersin the Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge 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