UX Designer Hourly Pay in Wheaton, IL: $28.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Wheaton, IL runs $28.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,637 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Wheaton's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,781 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wheaton, Illinois, the projected median ux designer hourly pay for 2026 is $28.67, significantly lower than the national median of $40.06. This disparity indicates that many local designers operating in tech environments, agency settings, or as freelancers may need to strategize their workload around part-time or per-diem opportunities. For instance, a part-time ux designer who works three days a week could expect to earn about $41,000 annually based on this hourly rate, while contractors often charge higher rates—typically within a range from $16.63 at entry-level positions up to $44.44 for seasoned professionals. Designers may find themselves collaborating in open design studios filled with Figma sessions, or based in remote coworking spaces, translating their creative visions into functional, user-driven products.
About the Wheaton 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) | $16.63 | $133.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.68 | $165.44 |
| Median (P50) | $28.67 | $229.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.70 | $293.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.44 | $355.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wheaton
Based on $28.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.67/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wheaton, IL can expect to earn approximately $59,635 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,405. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wheaton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wheaton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,146.82 | $4,970 | $59,635 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.09 | $2,982 | $35,781 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $458.73 | $1,988 | $23,854 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Wheaton) | $28.67 |
| 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 Wheaton, IL earn a median of $59,637 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.42% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.70% below the Illinois state average of $60,668.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.67/hr = $35,781/year (purchasing power: $36,849).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,635/year (purchasing power: $61,416).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Wheaton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Wheaton grew 30.2% from $20.62/hr (2021) to $26.84/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.63/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 Wheaton 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 Wheaton
Examining the earning potential further, a part-time ux designer working a 24-hour week at the median rate could realistically earn around $41,000 yearly versus the $59,637 achievable in a full-time role, reflecting a substantial difference that part-time workers should consider. For those exploring per-diem ux designer pay in Wheaton, it's common to see rates significantly exceed the standard hourly earnings; many skilled consultants bill between $75 and $150 per hour, with highly experienced product designers claiming upwards of $250 per hour. Variability in hourly rates often depends on the type of employer: designers at major tech firms might offer stability with benefits, while those in boutiques or freelance roles might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for flexibility. Negotiating higher rates can hinge on demonstrating specialized skills in design systems or providing research insights; expertise in Figma remains a strong market differentiator in this evolving field.
More salary data for Wheaton, 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 Wheaton. 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 Wheaton 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