UX Designer Salary in Iowa City, IA: $56,263 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Iowa City, IA earns a median $56,263/year (≈ $27.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Iowa City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $62,238 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Iowa City, the projected median annual salary for a UX designer in 2026 stands at $56,263, a stark contrast to the national average of $83,320. With salaries ranging from $32,632 at the 10th percentile to $87,208 at the 90th percentile, this market offers diverse opportunities for professionals at various levels of experience. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, reflect the trade-offs many designers face when considering roles. While management positions may offer higher compensation in certain firms, a majority of local positions emphasize product design, where the median remains lower compared to national rates. As Iowa City continues to adapt to industry shifts, understanding the local pay dynamics is essential for designers aiming to negotiate their worth effectively.
About the Iowa City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,632 | $15.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,509 | $19.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,263 | $27.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,017 | $34.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,208 | $41.93 |
Median Salary Position
32.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Iowa City
In Iowa City, IA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,576 (2026 est.). At $56,263, the local median is 32.47% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Iowa City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Iowa City UX Designer Pay Compares
Iowa City median: $56,263/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Iowa City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,489 | -0.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -32.47% less |
UX Designers in Iowa City, IA earn a median of $56,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.47% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $56,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Iowa City 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.
Iowa City, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $56,263 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,238 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
$40,460
2025 BLS Actual
$52,671
2026 Current Est.
$56,263
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Iowa City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $119,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $119,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,671 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,263 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,100 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa City metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $40,460 (2021) to $52,671 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,100 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,640 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa City 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) | $32,632 – $40,509 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,509 – $56,263 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,263 – $72,017 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,017 – $87,208 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Iowa City
A closer look at the job market reveals that there are currently 14 UX designers employed in Iowa City, which indicates a compact but evolving community. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, designers may find their take-home pay stretches further than in many larger cities. The firms offering the highest salaries generally include major tech companies or established product design teams, where opportunities for equity compensation can significantly enhance overall earnings. Various factors contribute to the pay disparity, including the company type, specialization within the field, and the strength of one’s portfolio—having noteworthy projects can lead to premium compensation. For those looking to optimize their UX designer pay in Iowa City, focusing on high-demand skills and diversifying experience across different design roles could bolster their earning potential in this relatively competitive market.
More salary data for Iowa City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Iowa City, IA in 2026?
Is Iowa City, IA a good place to work as a ux designer?
Can ux designers make $100K in Iowa City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted ux designer salary in Iowa City?
How much does a ux designer make per hour in Iowa City?
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 $52,671 for ux designersin the Iowa City 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 Iowa City 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