UX Designer Salary in Davenport, IA: $55,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Davenport, IA earns a median $55,023/year (≈ $26.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Davenport's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.1), that paycheck buys what $61,769 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
For an aspiring UX designer considering opportunities in Davenport, Iowa, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $55,023, which reflects a significant gap compared to the national median of $83,320. On the local level, salaries span a range from $29,963 for entry-level positions to as high as $94,167 for experienced designers, indicating a competitive market that values both talent and experience. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS figures, suggests that while Davenport's compensation might be lower than the national average, the growth potential within the local design industry remains promising. The bifurcation in the UX designer market—balancing between high-paying roles in tech giants and those in digital product agencies or in-house teams—offers diverse pathways for professionals to carve out their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,963 | $14.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,188 | $19.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,023 | $26.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,473 | $32.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,167 | $45.27 |
Median Salary Position
33.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Davenport
In Davenport, IA, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,204 (2026 est.). At $55,023, the local median is 33.96% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Davenport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Davenport UX Designer Pay Compares
Davenport median: $55,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Davenport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $56,492 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -33.96% less |
UX Designers in Davenport, IA earn a median of $55,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.96% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.60% below the Iowa state average of $56,492.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Davenport has a cost of living 10.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Davenport, IA has a cost-of-living index of 89.079 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $55,023 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,769 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.26% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$49,080
2025 BLS Actual
$51,510
2026 Current Est.
$55,023
2021–2027 Growth
+19.8%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Davenport (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,830 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,630 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,776 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Davenport metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 5.0% from $49,080 (2021) to $51,510 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,776 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,696 (19.76%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Davenport 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) | $29,963 – $41,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,188 – $55,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,023 – $67,473 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,473 – $94,167 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Davenport
Looking at the local job market, there are currently around 40 UX designers employed in Davenport, highlighting a niche community within the design profession. While the cost-of-living index stands at 89.079, slightly below the national average, this could impact take-home pay and purchasing power for designers in the area. Local employers, such as in-house product teams at non-tech companies, tend to offer stability, while digital product agencies may provide variety and project engagement. Factors driving salary discrepancies include company tier—where FAANG firms and high-growth startups typically pay the most—and the design specialty, with research-heavy positions often commanding higher salaries. To maximize compensation, designers in Davenport might consider strengthening their portfolios with notable projects, specializing in in-demand fields like design systems, and networking within local tech communities to enhance their visibility in this evolving market.
More salary data for Davenport, IA:
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 $51,510 for ux designersin the Davenport 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