UX Designer Hourly Pay in Chicago, IL: $33.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Chicago, IL runs $33.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,437 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,260 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chicago, IL, the projected median hourly pay for a UX designer in 2026 is $33.86, which falls significantly below the national hourly median of $40.06. This difference reflects not only the city's economic landscape but also the competitive nature of UX design roles, especially in tech company design studios, agencies, and in-house teams. Part-time UX designers working three days a week can earn a comfortable income, with the pay range varying widely from $22.90 for entry-level positions to $62.41 for experienced professionals. This official BLS data indicates that opportunities for UX designers in Chicago are growing, making the profession attractive for aspiring designers, freelancers, and those considering per-diem roles, where flexibility and variety in projects can be appealing.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.90 | $183.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.20 | $225.60 |
| Median (P50) | $33.86 | $270.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.95 | $407.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.41 | $499.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chicago
Based on $33.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.86/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chicago, IL can expect to earn approximately $70,433 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,634. With a cost-of-living index of 103.59 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,354.48 | $5,869 | $70,433 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $812.69 | $3,522 | $42,260 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $541.79 | $2,348 | $28,173 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Chicago) | $33.86 |
| Graphic Designer (National Avg) | $29.14 |
| Web Developer (National Avg) | $45.07 |
| Software Developer (National Avg) | $64.54 |
| Art Director (National Avg) | $55.79 |
UX Designers in Chicago, IL earn a median of $70,437 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.46% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 16.10% above the Illinois state average of $60,669.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.86/hr = $42,260/year (purchasing power: $40,793).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,433/year (purchasing power: $67,989).
CoL index: 103.595 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$29.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.86/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Chicago (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $39.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Chicago grew 7.0% from $29.62/hr (2021) to $31.70/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.17/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem ux designers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chicago 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.
Working as an Hourly UX Designer in Chicago
The part-time UX designer working 24 hours a week might take home around $42,000 annually, demonstrating a viable income stream for those balancing other commitments. Per diem UX designers often navigate a landscape of agencies and freelance opportunities, with billing rates that can skyrocket to $75-$150 per hour for general work, and even higher for seasoned consultants who charge $200-$400 per hour. Rates can greatly differ depending on employer types; while tech giants and established digital product agencies tend to offer competitive hourly rates, smaller consulting firms may provide lesser pay with fewer benefits. For many designers, the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits is a significant consideration—often accepting lower rates in exchange for health insurance or stable employment. Negotiation strategies specific to Chicago's market can include emphasizing specialized skills and building a compelling portfolio that showcases experience with tools like Figma to command higher pay.
More salary data for Chicago, IL:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for ux designers in Chicago. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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