UX Designer Salary in Wausau, WI: $56,748 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Wausau, WI earns a median $56,748/year (≈ $27.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Wausau's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $60,758 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wausau, Wisconsin, the projected median annual salary for UX designers in 2026 is $56,748, reflecting a significant gap compared to the national median of $83,320. This local figure sits within a broader salary range that spans from $32,913 at the lower end to $87,960 at the high end, indicating a diverse job market that accommodates different levels of experience and expertise. These insights are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data combined with regional cost adjustments, shedding light on the competitive dynamics of the local sector. Many aspiring UX designers are considering the tradeoff between pursuing roles in high-paying tech environments versus opportunities at digital agencies or in-house teams, influencing the peak earning potential in this market.
About the Wausau Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,913 | $15.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,223 | $20.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,748 | $27.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,638 | $34.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,960 | $42.29 |
Median Salary Position
31.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wausau
In Wausau, WI, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,047 (2026 est.). At $56,748, the local median is 31.89% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wausau: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wausau UX Designer Pay Compares
Wausau median: $56,748/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wausau Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $58,383 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -31.89% less |
UX Designers in Wausau, WI earn a median of $56,748 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.89% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $58,383.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wausau 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.
Wausau, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $56,748 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,758 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$40,809
2025 BLS Actual
$53,125
2026 Current Est.
$56,748
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Wausau (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $40,809 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,520 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,336 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,366 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,125 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,748 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,618 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wausau metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $40,809 (2021) to $53,125 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,618 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,809 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wausau 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) | $32,913 – $42,223 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,223 – $56,748 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,748 – $72,638 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,638 – $87,960 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Wausau
Wausau hosts a compact community of just eight UX designers, which suggests a tight-knit job market for professionals in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, salaries in this city translate into relatively favorable purchasing power, especially compared to more expensive urban areas. Local employers showing the highest UX designer pay include digital product agencies and non-tech in-house product design teams, which typically allocate budget for specialized roles. The variation in compensation is driven by several factors: the prestige of the employing company, the designer's specialty area—such as research versus product design—and their portfolio strength. To maximize earnings in this local market, UX designers should focus on building a strong portfolio, leveraging skills in popular tools like Figma, and considering roles that may offer equity or bonuses, particularly in firms that have set ambitious growth targets post-2023.
More salary data for Wausau, 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 $53,125 for ux designersin the Wausau 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 Wausau 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