UX Designer Salary in Madison, WI: $64,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Madison, WI earns a median $64,957/year (≈ $31.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $66,768 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $64,957, the compensation for UX designers in Madison, Wisconsin, reflects a distinct separation based on employment type. The salary range for this role spans from $46,306 at the 10th percentile to $97,051 at the 90th percentile, highlighting the earning variation influenced by whether designers work for tech giants, like those within FAANG, digital product agencies, or in-house teams at non-tech firms. These figures, drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, suggest that while Madison's salaries are competitive locally, they lag behind the national median of $83,320. This disparity signifies the evolving landscape of tech employment and design roles, with implications for job seekers considering their options in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,306 | $22.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,885 | $25.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,957 | $31.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,133 | $39.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,051 | $46.66 |
Median Salary Position
22.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,745 (2026 est.). At $64,957, the local median is 22.04% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison UX Designer Pay Compares
Madison median: $64,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $58,362 | +11.30% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -22.04% less |
UX Designers in Madison, WI earn a median of $64,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.04% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 11.30% above the Wisconsin state average of $58,362.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $64,957 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,768 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$65,120
2025 BLS Actual
$60,810
2026 Current Est.
$64,957
2021–2027 Growth
+6.6%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Madison (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $65,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $96,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $98,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,900 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,387 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -6.6% from $65,120 (2021) to $60,810 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,387 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,267 (6.55%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $46,306 – $53,885 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,885 – $64,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,957 – $81,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,133 – $97,051 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Madison
Currently, there are about 200 UX designers employed in Madison, contributing to a steady job market fueled by a cost-of-living index of 97.287, making it slightly more affordable than the national average. This balance means that while salaries for UX designers here may be lower than national standards, professionals still experience reasonable purchasing power relative to local living expenses. In terms of top employers, positions at major tech companies typically offer the highest pay, with digital product agencies and in-house teams at non-tech companies generally providing lower but more stable compensation. Factors influencing salary variation include the prestige of the employer, specialization within UX design—such as research versus product design—and the strength of an individual’s portfolio. For those looking to maximize their pay in Madison, focusing on building a standout portfolio with successful projects and considering roles in higher-tier tech firms may yield the best long-term financial benefits.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
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 $60,810 for ux designersin the Madison 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
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