UX Designer Hourly Pay in Elgin, IL: $33.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Elgin, IL runs $33.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,809 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Elgin's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.57 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,886 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elgin, Illinois, the projected hourly pay for UX designers is set at $33.56, which is notably below the national median of $40.06. This hourly rate presents a mixed bag for those considering part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week in fast-paced environments like tech design studios, agency settings, or freelance platforms. For professionals who appreciate flexibility, the hourly income ranges from $19.46 for entry-level positions to an impressive $52.02 for more experienced roles, although these figures are extrapolated from annual salary estimates. As such, those looking to balance their work-life commitments can evaluate the financial viability of both full-time and flexible positions in this growing field.
About the Elgin 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) | $19.46 | $155.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.16 | $193.30 |
| Median (P50) | $33.56 | $268.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.96 | $343.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.02 | $416.17 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elgin
Based on $33.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.56/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elgin, IL can expect to earn approximately $69,811 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,275. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elgin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elgin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,342.51 | $5,818 | $69,811 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $805.51 | $3,491 | $41,886 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $537.01 | $2,327 | $27,924 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Elgin) | $33.56 |
| 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 Elgin, IL earn a median of $69,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.22% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 15.00% above the Illinois state average of $60,703.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.56/hr = $41,886/year (purchasing power: $43,137).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,811/year (purchasing power: $71,896).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$24.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.56/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Elgin (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Elgin grew 30.2% from $24.14/hr (2021) to $31.42/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.85/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 Elgin 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 Elgin
Part-time UX designers in Elgin working 24 hours a week would earn roughly $52,523 over the course of a year, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Contrarily, per-diem and contract UX designers earn considerably higher, with billing rates ranging from $75 to $150 per hour, particularly when working through agencies or on specialized projects. In Elgin, the types of employers create variations in pay; designers at large tech firms, for example, may earn less per hour than those at boutique design consulting agencies, who can command rates of $200 to $400 for senior positions. While some UX professionals accept lower rates for the benefits that full-time employment provides, many freelance designers prioritize higher hourly pay without benefits. For those negotiating their rates in Elgin, it's advisable to consider not only monetary compensation but also the trade-offs in job security and benefits that different employer types offer.
More salary data for Elgin, 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 Elgin. 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 Elgin 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