How much does a UX Designer make in Iowa?

BLS puts the average UX Designer pay in Iowa at $72,090 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in Iowa, after federal taxes, FICA, and Iowa state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $57,458 annually ($4,788/month).

What is the take-home pay for a UX Designer in Iowa?

On a $72,090 salary in Iowa, your take-home pay is approximately $57,458/year or $4,788/month. Federal tax: $7,030. State tax: $2,088. FICA: $5,515.

Is $72,090 a good UX Designer salary?

$72,090 is the BLS average UX Designer pay in Iowa, 39% below the US average of $117,490 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in Iowa earn between $48,330 and $84,220.

How do Iowa taxes affect UX Designer salaries?

Iowa levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $72,090 is $2,088. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 20.3%.

What are the career growth prospects for UX Designers?

In Iowa, the top 10% earn over $108,160 and the bottom 10% under $42,140 (BLS, May 2025). 8% growth through 2032 (faster than average). Related roles include: UI Designer, Product Designer, Interaction Designer, UX Researcher.

How can a UX Designer in Iowa reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Tech

UX Designer Salary in Iowa (2026)

Average UX Designer pay in Iowa

$72,090/year

≈ $35/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $48,330–$84,220

US average: $117,490

Source: BLS, May 2025 · Web and Digital Interface Designers

After tax (single filer)

$57,458/year

$4,788/month · effective tax rate 20.3%

Federal $7,030
State $2,088
FICA $5,515
Take-home

Pay by role in Iowa

Staff / Principal UX Designer (Principal / Workiva)$135,000–$245,000+ TC
Senior UX Designer (Principal Financial)$108,000–$172,000+ bonus
Senior UX Designer (Workiva Ames)$102,000–$158,000+ TC
Senior UX Designer (John Deere Operations Center)$102,000–$158,000+ TC
Senior UX Designer (Dwolla / Fintech Des Moines)$98,000–$148,000+ TC
Senior UX Designer (Hy-Vee / Casey)$88,000–$138,000+ bonus

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$57,458
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$4,788
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,210
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$28/hr
Federal Tax	$7,030
State Tax	$2,088
FICA Taxes	$5,515
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	20.3%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all UX Designers earn the same — not even close

Iowa's UX designer market is anchored by Principal Financial Group HQ Des Moines (the substantial Principal digital retirement + asset management + insurance UX + Principal Bank app), Workiva Ames (post-2010 cloud financial reporting SaaS + the substantial Workiva Wdesk UX), Dwolla Des Moines (substantial fintech payments UX + post-2020 Dwolla embedded ACH platform), Hy-Vee Aisles Online + Hy-Vee mobile app + Casey app + Casey rewards, John Deere Operations Center + dealer portals UX, Athene USA + Sammons Financial + EMC Insurance digital UX, UnityPoint Health + MercyOne patient portal UX, the substantial Des Moines tech UX growth (Source Allies + post-2020 Iowa tech growth), plus Iowa State College of Design + UI School of Art + Drake + Grinnell + UNI Design pipelines.

Staff / Principal UX Designer (Principal / Workiva)

$135,000–$245,000+ TC

Senior UX IC at Principal Financial + Workiva + John Deere Operations Center

Senior UX Designer (Principal Financial)

$108,000–$172,000+ bonus

Principal Financial Des Moines · digital retirement + asset management + insurance UX

Senior UX Designer (Workiva Ames)

$102,000–$158,000+ TC

Workiva Ames · cloud financial reporting + Wdesk + Wdata UX

Senior UX Designer (John Deere Operations Center)

$102,000–$158,000+ TC

John Deere · Operations Center + dealer portal + connected machines UX

Senior UX Designer (Dwolla / Fintech Des Moines)

$98,000–$148,000+ TC

Dwolla + the substantial Des Moines fintech · payments + ACH platform UX

Senior UX Designer (Hy-Vee / Casey)

$88,000–$138,000+ bonus

Hy-Vee Aisles Online + Casey app · grocery + c-store e-commerce UX

Senior UX Designer (Athene / Sammons / EMC)

$92,000–$142,000+ bonus

Athene + Sammons + EMC · annuity + life + workers comp digital UX

UX Design Manager

$135,000–$215,000+ TC

Design manager + design director at major IA employers · team lead

Mid-Level UX Designer (3-6 yrs)

$68,000–$105,000

Functional UX designer at IA employers · transitioning to senior band

Junior UX Designer (0-3 yrs)

$52,000–$72,000

ISU College of Design + UI School of Art + Drake + Grinnell + UNI Design · entry band

Worth knowing: Principal Financial Group HQ Des Moines digital + Workiva Ames cloud SaaS UX is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state insurance + financial reporting UX anchor and a feature most national UX surveys understate for IA. Principal Financial (the substantial Principal digital retirement platform UX + the substantial Principal asset management + insurance UX + Principal Bank + Principal Securities digital + the substantial Principal post-2021 Wells Fargo Asset Management integration UX + the substantial Principal Iowa-anchored insurance + retirement UX) supports substantial IA insurance + retirement UX. Senior Principal UX designers clear $108-172K+ bonus. Workiva Ames (post-2010 founded + the substantial Workiva cloud financial reporting SaaS + Wdesk + Wdata + the substantial Workiva post-2024 generative AI Wdesk + the substantial Workiva Ames-anchored design system) supports substantial IA SaaS UX. Senior Workiva UX designers clear $102-158K+ TC. John Deere Operations Center connected machines + dealer portal + Dwolla fintech payments + Hy-Vee Aisles Online + Casey app + Athene + Sammons + EMC + UnityPoint + MercyOne patient portal UX rounds out IA UX. IA flat 3.8% + IA RTW since 1947 + IA inheritance tax repealed Jan 1 2025 + IA property tax ~1.50% anchor the IA UX proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for UX Designers in Iowa and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and Iowa 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers