UX Designer Salary in Chicago: 2026 Guide
Chicago is the best-kept secret in UX design compensation. The Midwest's largest city offers strong salaries ($115K median), a diverse employer base spanning tech, finance, CPG, and agencies, and a cost of living 30-40% below San Francisco and New York. COL-adjusted purchasing power of $98K is the highest of any major US city. The design community is vibrant with strong agency roots (Leo Burnett, Ogilvy), growing tech presence (Grubhub, Groupon, Google), and world-class design education (IIT Institute of Design). For designers prioritising financial outcomes without sacrificing urban lifestyle, Chicago deserves serious consideration.
Average Salary
$115,000
25th-75th Range
$105K-$128K
Avg Total Comp
$135,000
vs National Avg
+6% above
Top UX Employers in Chicago
These are the largest employers of UX designers in the Chicago metro area, with estimated salary ranges for mid-to-senior level designers.
| Company | Estimated Range |
|---|---|
| Google Chicago | $150K-$350K total comp |
| Grubhub | $105K-$155K |
| Groupon | $100K-$145K |
| Allstate | $95K-$135K |
| McDonald's Corporate | $100K-$140K |
| Motorola Solutions | $95K-$135K |
| Morningstar | $100K-$140K |
| Leo Burnett (agency) | $80K-$125K |
| VSA Partners (agency) | $85K-$120K |
| Sprout Social | $100K-$140K |
Cost of Living Context
Chicago's cost of living is 1.17x the national average, making it remarkably affordable for a major city. Rent is 40-50% lower than San Francisco and 25-35% lower than New York. Illinois has a 4.95% flat income tax, moderate compared to California (up to 13.3%) or New York (up to 10.9%). A $115K salary in Chicago has purchasing power equivalent to $98K nationally, which means Chicago UX designers enjoy better purchasing power than their counterparts in SF ($77K adj), NYC ($77K adj), or LA ($85K adj).
COL Metrics
1BR Rent by Neighborhood
Local Design Community
- •AIGA Chicago: one of the largest and most active AIGA chapters in the country
- •IIT Institute of Design (ID): world-renowned design school, strong UX programme
- •ChicagoCHI: local ACM SIGCHI chapter, regular UX research and design events
- •Leo Burnett and Ogilvy: agencies that anchor the creative community
- •Chicago Design Museum and Design Week: annual cultural design events
- •1871 and mHub: tech incubators that host design-focused events
- •Strong print and visual design heritage that influences digital design culture
Chicago UX Salary FAQ
How much do UX designers make in Chicago?
UX designers in Chicago earn $105,000-$128,000 on average in 2026, with a median of $115,000. Google's Chicago office pays FAANG rates. Tech companies like Grubhub, Groupon, and Sprout Social offer $100K-$155K. Enterprise companies (Allstate, McDonald's, Morningstar) pay $95K-$140K. Entry-level starts at $60K-$75K. Illinois' flat 4.95% income tax is moderate compared to coastal states.
Is Chicago a good city for UX designers?
Chicago is one of the best cities for UX designers optimising for overall quality of life and financial outcomes. The COL-adjusted purchasing power ($98K) is the highest of any major US city, exceeding SF ($77K), NYC ($77K), and LA ($85K). The employer base is diverse (tech, finance, CPG, agencies), the design community is strong, and the city offers world-class food, architecture, and culture at Midwest prices.
How does Chicago compare to other cities for UX salary?
Chicago's raw salary ($115K) is 18% below SF and 12% below NYC, but purchasing power tells a different story. COL-adjusted, Chicago ($98K) beats SF ($77K), NYC ($77K), and LA ($85K) by a wide margin. Only Seattle ($95K) and Austin ($94K) come close. The gap narrows further when you account for Illinois' moderate income tax vs California's 13.3% top rate.
What companies hire UX designers in Chicago?
Google's Chicago office (150+ designers) pays FAANG rates. Grubhub and Groupon are the largest local tech employers. Enterprise companies like Allstate, McDonald's, Morningstar, and Motorola offer stable UX careers. The agency scene (Leo Burnett, Ogilvy, VSA Partners) provides portfolio diversity. Growing companies like Sprout Social, Avant, and G2 add startup energy to the mix.