UX Designer Salary in River Falls, WI: $54,997 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in River Falls, WI earns a median $54,997/year (≈ $26.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $58,883 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, UX designers can expect a median annual salary of $54,997 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national average of $83,320. The projected salary spectrum ranges from $31,899 at the 10th percentile to $85,246 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diversity in experience and specialization within the local market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price levels, illustrate a notable tradeoff in career paths. Designers leaning towards management roles may find their compensation capped below that of their counterparts in principal design positions at top tech firms, a trend increasingly relevant in the aftermath of recent tech layoffs.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,899 | $15.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,332 | $19.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,997 | $26.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,397 | $33.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,246 | $40.99 |
Median Salary Position
33.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,347 (2026 est.). At $54,997, the local median is 33.99% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls UX Designer Pay Compares
River Falls median: $54,997/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $58,384 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.99% less |
UX Designers in River Falls, WI earn a median of $54,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.99% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $58,384.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $54,997 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,883 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$39,550
2025 BLS Actual
$51,486
2026 Current Est.
$54,997
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in River Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $39,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,209 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,783 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,825 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,486 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,997 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,748 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $39,550 (2021) to $51,486 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,748 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,198 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $31,899 – $40,332 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,332 – $54,997 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,997 – $70,397 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,397 – $85,246 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in River Falls
The local job market in River Falls has room for growth, with only five UX designers currently employed in the area. Given the cost-of-living index of 93.4, this translates to a reasonable purchasing power that may appeal to new entrants to the field. While many employers in River Falls such as smaller digital product agencies and in-house teams provide opportunities, higher pay tends to gravitate towards established tech companies like those in the FAANG group and their peers, where design management tiers are more substantial. The variance in salaries here can be attributed to factors such as company caliber, specialization in design—ranging from research to visual design—and the strength of one's portfolio. For those looking to maximize their UX designer pay in River Falls, building a robust portfolio, fostering connections in the local tech community, and considering remote opportunities with out-of-state firms could yield significant financial benefits.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 $51,486 for ux designersin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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