UX Designer Hourly Pay in Oak Park, IL: $28.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Oak Park, IL runs $28.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Oak Park's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,141 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Park, Illinois, the projected median hourly pay for a UX designer in 2026 is $28.96, significantly lower than the national median of $40.06. For professionals working part-time—such as those accepting roles three days a week—the financial implications are substantial. A designer working 24 hours weekly could bring home around $33,437 annually, making hourly pay a critical consideration for both freelancers and part-time workers in vibrant environments like design studios and remote settings using Figma for collaboration. For entry-level positions, hourly rates start around $16.79, while seasoned designers can reach as high as $44.89, reflecting the diverse pay scale based on experience and employer type throughout Oak Park. These estimates offer insight into potential earnings, derived primarily from annual salary projections.
About the Oak Park 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) | $16.79 | $134.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.24 | $169.89 |
| Median (P50) | $28.96 | $231.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.07 | $296.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.89 | $359.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oak Park
Based on $28.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.96/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oak Park, IL can expect to earn approximately $60,235 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,751. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oak Park.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oak Park
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,158.36 | $5,020 | $60,235 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.01 | $3,012 | $36,141 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.34 | $2,008 | $24,094 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Oak Park) | $28.96 |
| 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 Oak Park, IL earn a median of $60,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.70% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.70% below the Illinois state average of $60,661.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.96/hr = $36,141/year (purchasing power: $37,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,235/year (purchasing power: $62,033).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.96/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Oak Park (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.83/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Oak Park grew 30.2% from $20.83/hr (2021) to $27.11/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.93/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 Oak Park 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 Oak Park
From an analytical standpoint, the earning potential for UX designers can vary significantly based on work arrangements. For those opting for per diem or contract work, rates often range between $75 and $150 per hour, depending on experience and specialization. Highly experienced product designers may command upwards of $125 to $250, while senior design consultants might bill at $200 to $400 an hour. Hourly rates differ based on employer type, with tech giants like FAANG companies typically offering higher compensation compared to digital design firms or startups. This creates a trade-off for many UX professionals in Oak Park, as some may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For those focused on maximizing pay, negotiation skills are essential, especially when discussing hourly contracts with agencies or consulting firms eager to attract top talent willing to explore various types of work arrangements.
More salary data for Oak Park, 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 Oak Park. 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 Oak Park 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