UX Designer Hourly Pay in Gary, IN: $27.46 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Gary, IN runs $27.46 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,126 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Gary's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,274 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gary, Indiana, the hourly pay for UX designers is projected to reach a median of $27.46 in 2026. This rate falls significantly below the national hourly median of $40.06, reflecting the city’s unique economic environment and cost of living factors. For part-time designers working three days a week, or those engaged in freelance and per-diem roles, this figure represents a practical foundation. In spaces such as tech company design studios or collaborative setups among remote teams using Figma, entry-level designers can expect to start at about $15.93, while top earners in the field could command rates of up to $42.57. The disparity in earnings often highlights a competitive landscape where individual skills and experience greatly influence remuneration, particularly among a small group of just 14 UX designers currently engaged in the Gary area.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($78,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.93 | $127.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.77 | $158.18 |
| Median (P50) | $27.46 | $219.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.15 | $281.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.57 | $340.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gary
Based on $27.46/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.46/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gary, IN can expect to earn approximately $57,124 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,956. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gary.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gary
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,098.54 | $4,760 | $57,124 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $659.12 | $2,856 | $34,274 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.41 | $1,904 | $22,850 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Gary) | $27.46 |
| 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 Gary, IN earn a median of $57,126 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.44% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $57,069.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.46/hr = $34,274/year (purchasing power: $37,540).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,124/year (purchasing power: $62,567).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.46/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Gary (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.46/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Gary grew 30.2% from $19.75/hr (2021) to $25.71/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.34/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 Gary 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 Gary
The earning potential for part-time UX designers in Gary becomes more defined when looking at what a three-day work week translates to in annual income compared to full-time counterparts. While full-time employment may yield a more stable salary, part-time workers, albeit with a more flexible schedule, take home less over time. For contracted UX designers, per-diem rates can vary widely, typically ranging from $75 to upwards of $150 per hour, and seasoned professionals can see their rates skyrocket to between $125 and $250 per hour. Local employers vary as well, with tech giants often able to afford higher rates than boutique design firms or non-tech in-house teams. Many designers face a trade-off between lower hourly pay with associated benefits versus higher pay in freelance situations with no safety net. In negotiating their compensation, designers in Gary should feel empowered to advocate for their skills, understanding industry benchmarks, while keeping in mind the value of offering comprehensive benefits against potentially higher rates in freelance positions.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
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 Gary. 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 Gary 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