UX Designer Salary in Urbandale, IA: $53,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Urbandale, IA earns a median $53,974/year (≈ $25.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $59,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the wake of extensive layoffs within the design sector during 2023 and 2024, the ux designer salary in Urbandale, IA, averages $53,974 for 2026, not far from the national median of $83,320. The local salary range offers substantial variance, starting at $31,305 at the 10th percentile and peaking at $83,659 for the top earners. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, reflecting both the recovery of the local job market and the demand for skilled designers. As Urbandale continues to adapt to these changes, opportunities for competitive compensation remain, particularly as tech companies and design agencies recalibrate their offerings in response to the evolving industry landscape.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,305 | $15.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,017 | $18.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,974 | $25.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,087 | $33.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,659 | $40.22 |
Median Salary Position
35.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,354 (2026 est.). At $53,974, the local median is 35.22% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale UX Designer Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $53,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,517 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -35.22% less |
UX Designers in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $53,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.22% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $56,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $53,974 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,706 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$38,814
2025 BLS Actual
$50,528
2026 Current Est.
$53,974
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Urbandale (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38,814 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,185 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,528 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,655 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $38,814 (2021) to $50,528 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,841 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $31,305 – $39,017 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,017 – $53,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,974 – $69,087 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,087 – $83,659 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Urbandale
With only 12 ux designers currently employed in the area, Urbandale's job market remains tight, highlighting a potential for career growth amid lower overall demographic competition. The cost-of-living index stands at 90.4, favorably positioned below the national average, which translates to increased purchasing power for local salaries. High-paying employers often include tier-1 tech firms as well as in-house design teams at well-established non-tech companies. The significant pay spread locally is driven by several factors, including the caliber of the employer, design specialty, and the individual’s portfolio strength. To maximize ux designer pay in Urbandale IA, professionals should focus on building a robust portfolio featuring heavily-trafficked apps, moreover being open to the dual paths of consulting or in-house design roles while honing Figma expertise will widen their marketability for future opportunities.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $50,528 for ux designersin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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