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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Principal UX Designer in Illinois is $143,335 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $69.
However, a Principal UX Designer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Principal UX Designer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $154,663 | $12,889 | $2,974 | $74 |
| Average | $143,335 | $11,945 | $2,756 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,639 | $11,137 | $2,570 | $64 |
Bank Administration Institute Inc - Chicago, IL
Rewards Network - City of Chicago, IL
Cleo (US) - Chicago, IL
IQUASAR LLC - Chicago, IL
A Principal UX Designer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Principal UX Designer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| UI Design... Level Principal UX Designer | $91,590 |
| UI Design... Level Principal UX Designer | $117,764 |
| Principal... Level Principal UX Designer | $142,502 |
| UI Design... Level Principal UX Designer | $162,353 |
| UI Design... Level Principal UX Designer | $157,865 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Principal UX Designers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Principal UX Designer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Principal UX Designer positions in Biotechnology or Chemicals typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Principal UX Designer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $172,002 | $83.0 | 20% |
| Business Services | $164,835 | $79.0 | 15% |
| Construction | $157,668 | $76.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $150,502 | $72.0 | 5% |
| Healthcare | $146,202 | $70.0 | 2% |
Understanding how a Principal UX Designer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $154,663 | $12,889 | $2,974 | $74 |
| Average | $143,335 | $11,945 | $2,756 | $69 |
| 25th Percentile | $133,639 | $11,137 | $2,570 | $64 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Principal UX Designer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
PriceLabs
Normal, IL
PriceLabs | Normal, IL
About the roleWe're seeking a UX Designer to create user-centric, intuitive solutions for our dynamic pricing platform.Join our team and help customers suc... more
9 Days Ago
Contact Government Services, LLC
Chicago, IL
Contact Government Services, LLC | Chicago, IL
Job Description. Job Description. Senior UI/UX Designer. Employment Type: Full-Time, Experienced. Department: Information Technology. CGS is seeking a Seni... more
9 Days Ago
WeatherTech
Bolingbrook, IL
WeatherTech | Bolingbrook, IL
Job Description. Job Description. UI/UX Designer. WeatherTech Direct, LLC is seeking a well-qualified. UI/UX Designer. to create intuitive, customer-focuse... more
9 Days Ago
Grainger
Lake Forest, IL
Grainger | Lake Forest, IL
A leading distributor is seeking a Senior User Experience Designer to design the mobile iOS application for its field team.The role involves collaborating ... more
8 Days Ago
Spectrum IT Recruitment
Chicago, IL
Spectrum IT Recruitment | Chicago, IL
An innovative technology company in Buffalo Grove, IL, is seeking a User Experience Designer as their first hire in this role.This is a career-defining opp... more
9 Days Ago
Allstate Northern Ireland Limited
Chicago, IL
Allstate Northern Ireland Limited | Chicago, IL
A leading insurance company is seeking a Senior User Experience Designer Consultant to drive business outcomes through effective UI / UX design.This fully ... more
9 Days Ago
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