UX Designer Hourly Pay in Crystal Lake, IL: $27.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Crystal Lake, IL runs $27.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,782 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Crystal Lake's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,674 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Crystal Lake, Illinois, the projected hourly pay for a UX designer stands at $27.78, significantly below the national average of $40.06. This figure indicates a challenging environment for part-time workers in the field, as a designer working three days a week can expect to earn around $1,666 monthly before taxes. Additionally, those seeking per-diem opportunities are likely to step into creative settings such as tech company design studios or agency environments while leveraging tools like Figma. Entry-level designers can expect to start at $16.11 per hour, while experienced professionals earning the upper echelons can achieve rates up to $43.06. Knowing that these hourly figures are estimated from broader annual salary data, it’s imperative for Crystal Lake UX designers to strategically determine their work schedules and project engagements to maximize their income potential within these constraints.
About the Crystal Lake Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($95,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.11 | $128.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.00 | $159.97 |
| Median (P50) | $27.78 | $222.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.56 | $284.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.06 | $344.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Crystal Lake
Based on $27.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.78/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Crystal Lake, IL can expect to earn approximately $57,790 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,341. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Crystal Lake.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Crystal Lake
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,111.36 | $4,816 | $57,790 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $666.81 | $2,890 | $34,674 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.54 | $1,926 | $23,116 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Crystal Lake) | $27.78 |
| 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 Crystal Lake, IL earn a median of $57,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.65% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.80% below the Illinois state average of $60,696.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.78/hr = $34,674/year (purchasing power: $35,710).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,790/year (purchasing power: $59,516).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.78/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Crystal Lake (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $42.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Crystal Lake grew 30.2% from $19.98/hr (2021) to $26.01/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.68/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 Crystal Lake 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 Crystal Lake
The earning potential for a part-time UX designer working 24 hours a week in Crystal Lake could reach approximately $40,000 annually, a stark contrast to the earnings from a full-time position. Per-diem and freelance UX professionals have different financial realities, with many charging upwards of $75-$150 per hour in agency environments. Top-tier designers can see rates ballooning to $200-$400 an hour, especially within boutique consulting firms. Hourly rates fluctuate depending on the type of organization as well—tech giants, digital product agencies, and in-house product teams generally offer varying compensation standards. While some designers might choose stable positions with a lower hourly rate, they’re often compensated with benefits, whereas others might opt for higher hourly pay without stability. For those negotiating within Crystal Lake's market, emphasizing specific skills relevant to current offerings and preparing for counter-offers can help secure the most advantageous compensation situation.
More salary data for Crystal Lake, 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 Crystal Lake. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Crystal Lake is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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