UX Designer Salary in Wisconsin: $67,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Wisconsin's 46 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $67,415/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because Wisconsin sits at BEA RPP 93.4 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $72,179 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Waukesha ($76,485), Milwaukee ($75,533), Oshkosh ($73,335).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in Wisconsin is projected to be $67,415, which is significantly lower than the national median of $83,320, representing a difference of -19.1%. The highest paying city in the state is Waukesha at $81,701, while Wisconsin Rapids offers the lowest salary at $53,514. This creates a notable salary gap of $28,187, driven by factors such as local demand for UX expertise, the cost of living, and the concentration of technology firms and industries in metropolitan areas. Wisconsin's job market for UX designers is projected to grow at a rate of 6.82% annually, reflecting an increased need for user experience professionals across various sectors. Factors influencing this demand include the growth of digital products and services and the need for better customer engagement strategies. It’s important to note that Wisconsin does not have specific licensing requirements for UX designers, allowing for a wider pool of talent to enter the field. In terms of top cities, Waukesha leads with salaries closely followed by Milwaukee at $80,684, Oshkosh at $78,336, Green Bay at $70,942, and Madison at $64,957. This diverse landscape provides various opportunities, though aspiring designers should consider regional differences when assessing their career prospects.
Wisconsin UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Wisconsin: $31,038 (lowest entry-level) to $127,087 (highest top earner)
Wisconsin vs National Average
Wisconsin ux designers earn 19.09% less than the national median ($-15,905/year difference).
Wisconsin UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in Wisconsin range from $41,825 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $104,200 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,415. The Wisconsin median is $15,905 below the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $32.41/hr. Approximately 835 ux designers are employed across 46 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$64,322
2025 BLS Actual
$63,111
2026 Current Est.
$67,415
2021–2027 Growth
+12.0%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Wisconsin (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $64,322 | Actual |
| 2022 | $87,399 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,243 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,483 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,111 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,013 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -1.9% from $64,322 (2021) to $63,111 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,691 (11.96%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
Lowest Paying Cities in Wisconsin
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Wisconsin Rapids | $53,514 |
| Middleton | $53,961 |
| Platteville | $54,541 |
| Mequon | $54,545 |
| River Falls | $54,997 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in Wisconsin
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Wisconsin cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waukesha | $81,701 | 93.4 | $87,474 |
| Oshkosh | $78,336 | 92.929 | $84,297 |
| Milwaukee | $80,684 | 96.937 | $83,233 |
| Green Bay | $70,942 | 93.086 | $76,211 |
| Madison | $64,957 | 97.287 | $66,768 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Wisconsin
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,825 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,415 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $104,200 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Wisconsin metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 46 Cities in Wisconsin
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waukesha | $81,701 |
| 2 | Milwaukee | $80,684 |
| 3 | Oshkosh | $78,336 |
| 4 | Green Bay | $70,942 |
| 5 | Madison | $64,957 |
| 6 | Eau Claire | $58,954 |
| 7 | West Allis | $58,412 |
| 8 | Fitchburg | $58,026 |
| 9 | Greenfield | $58,020 |
| 10 | Kenosha | $57,886 |
| 11 | Appleton | $57,687 |
| 12 | Racine | $57,586 |
| 13 | Menomonee Falls | $57,518 |
| 14 | Brookfield | $57,383 |
| 15 | West Bend | $57,351 |
| 16 | De Pere | $57,305 |
| 17 | New Berlin | $57,197 |
| 18 | Wausau | $56,748 |
| 19 | Beloit | $56,744 |
| 20 | Sun Prairie | $56,712 |
| 21 | Caledonia | $56,558 |
| 22 | Mount Pleasant | $56,530 |
| 23 | Janesville | $56,438 |
| 24 | Muskego | $56,435 |
| 25 | La Crosse | $56,416 |
| 26 | Stevens Point | $56,172 |
| 27 | Franklin | $56,109 |
| 28 | Oak Creek | $55,933 |
| 29 | Superior | $55,847 |
| 30 | Manitowoc | $55,820 |
| 31 | Sheboygan | $55,774 |
| 32 | Fond du Lac | $55,648 |
| 33 | Pewaukee | $55,612 |
| 34 | Onalaska | $55,599 |
| 35 | South Milwaukee | $55,449 |
| 36 | Pleasant Prairie | $55,441 |
| 37 | Menomonie | $55,384 |
| 38 | Whitewater | $55,379 |
| 39 | Wauwatosa | $55,331 |
| 40 | Germantown | $55,291 |
| 41 | Marshfield | $55,270 |
| 42 | River Falls | $54,997 |
| 43 | Mequon | $54,545 |
| 44 | Platteville | $54,541 |
| 45 | Middleton | $53,961 |
| 46 | Wisconsin Rapids | $53,514 |
More Wisconsin Salary Data
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in Wisconsin in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for ux designers in Wisconsin?
How does Wisconsin ux designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level ux designer salary in Wisconsin?
How many ux designers are employed in Wisconsin?
Which Wisconsin city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across Wisconsin. State averages are employment-weighted across 46 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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