UX Designer Hourly Pay in Gurnee, IL: $28.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Gurnee, IL runs $28.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,797 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Gurnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,874 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gurnee, Illinois, UX designers can expect a median hourly pay of $28.75, which sits significantly lower compared to the national median of $40.06 per hour. This difference means that professionals working part-time, say three days a week, may find their earnings constrained when compared to counterparts in higher-paying markets. Typical work environments for UX designers often include dynamic spaces like tech company design studios, agency creative floors, and remote collaboration hubs utilizing tools such as Figma. The hourly wage sees a range from $16.67 for entry-level positions to about $44.55 for those in the highest brackets, indicating a broad scope of earning potential that can be attractive in freelance or contract roles.
About the Gurnee 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) | $16.67 | $133.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.70 | $165.61 |
| Median (P50) | $28.75 | $229.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.80 | $294.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.55 | $356.44 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gurnee
Based on $28.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.75/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gurnee, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,790 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,494. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gurnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gurnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,149.81 | $4,983 | $59,790 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $689.89 | $2,990 | $35,874 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.92 | $1,993 | $23,916 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Gurnee) | $28.75 |
| 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 Gurnee, IL earn a median of $59,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.23% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.50% below the Illinois state average of $60,707.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.75/hr = $35,874/year (purchasing power: $36,946).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,790/year (purchasing power: $61,576).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.91/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.75/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Gurnee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.91/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Gurnee grew 30.2% from $20.67/hr (2021) to $26.91/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.71/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 Gurnee 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 Gurnee
Part-time UX designers in Gurnee can anticipate a take-home income of just under $42,000 annually, while full-time counterparts typically earn more than $59,797. On a per-diem basis, many contract UX designers can command fees between $75-150 per hour, with freelance professionals or agency specialists often charging upwards of $200 hourly, depending on their expertise and project scope. Hourly rates vary widely based on employer types, with tech giants and established design firms likely offering better compensation compared to smaller startups. Some UX professionals willingly forgo higher hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, demonstrating the balancing act between hourly pay and overall compensation packages. When negotiating salaries, it's advisable for Gurnee-based designers to be aware of the region's market rates and emphasize their ability to contribute to dynamic projects as a means to secure better pay within competitive salary brackets.
More salary data for Gurnee, 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 Gurnee. 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 Gurnee 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