UX Designer Salary in Milwaukee, WI: $80,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Milwaukee, WI earns a median $80,684/year (≈ $38.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Milwaukee's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $83,233 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 38.2% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for UX designers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is projected to be $80,684, a figure that reflects local optimism in the wake of the post-2023 design layoffs. With salaries ranging from $48,911 at the lower end to $127,087 at the upper extreme, the local job market is showing resilience, absorbing many of those displaced by the recent turbulence in the tech sector. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which indicate that UX design is a promising field within Milwaukee, especially as companies seek to enhance their user experience strategies following a period of reevaluation and budget adjustments. The landscape for UX designer pay in Milwaukee, WI, remains competitive, particularly as businesses realize the importance of effective design in a digital-first world.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,911 | $23.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,051 | $30.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,684 | $38.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,640 | $50.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,087 | $61.10 |
Median Salary Position
3.16% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Milwaukee
In Milwaukee, WI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $78,176 (2026 est.). At $80,684, the local median is 3.16% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Milwaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Milwaukee UX Designer Pay Compares
Milwaukee median: $80,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Milwaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $58,382 | +38.20% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -3.16% less |
UX Designers in Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $80,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.16% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 38.20% above the Wisconsin state average of $58,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Milwaukee has a cost of living 3.06% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Milwaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 96.937 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $80,684 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,233 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.16% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$62,940
2025 BLS Actual
$75,533
2026 Current Est.
$80,684
2021–2027 Growth
+36.9%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Milwaukee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $62,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,533 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,187 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Milwaukee metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 20.0% from $62,940 (2021) to $75,533 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,247 (36.94%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Milwaukee 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) | $48,911 – $63,051 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,051 – $80,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,684 – $105,640 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,640 – $127,087 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Milwaukee
The UX designer market in Milwaukee comprises approximately 240 professionals, providing a steady demand for skilled designers. The area's cost of living index is notably lower than the national average at 96.937, which enhances the purchasing power for those working in this field. Local employers that offer the highest compensation typically include leading tech companies such as FAANG and established agencies, where equity and RSUs can substantially impact total compensation packages. The disparity between low and high salaries is driven by factors like company tier, skill specialization, and the strength of an individual's portfolio. Designers looking to maximize their pay in Milwaukee should focus on developing a portfolio that includes experience with heavily-trafficked applications and consider targeting roles in high-performing firms, as well as upskilling in areas like design systems. Rates can also increase significantly for those who advance into managerial roles or specialize in research, underscoring the value of diverse skill sets in the evolving design market.
More salary data for Milwaukee, 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 $75,533 for ux designersin the Milwaukee 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