UX Designer Hourly Pay in Lafayette, IN: $26.26 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Lafayette, IN runs $26.26 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,599 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Lafayette's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,768 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Indiana, the projected hourly pay for UX designers is $26.26, significantly lower than the national median of $40.06. This difference reflects the local market's economic conditions and the unique demands of the tech and design industry in the area. For part-time UX designers working three days a week, a typical schedule of 24 hours would yield around $31,640 annually—providing a livable income but underscoring the financial challenges faced by those choosing this career path in Lafayette. With an hourly range from $22.52 for entry-level positions up to $37.81 for the top earners, the compensation landscape varies considerably across experience levels. These figures are drawn from official BLS hourly data, highlighting a realistic view of what UX designers can expect as they navigate their careers.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.52 | $180.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.87 | $190.99 |
| Median (P50) | $26.26 | $210.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.32 | $258.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.81 | $302.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lafayette
Based on $26.26/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.26/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lafayette, IN can expect to earn approximately $54,613 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,508. With a cost-of-living index of 93.43 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lafayette.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lafayette
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,050.25 | $4,551 | $54,613 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $630.15 | $2,731 | $32,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $420.10 | $1,820 | $21,845 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Lafayette) | $26.26 |
| 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 Lafayette, IN earn a median of $54,599 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.47% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.30% below the Indiana state average of $57,052.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.26/hr = $32,768/year (purchasing power: $35,072).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,613/year (purchasing power: $58,454).
CoL index: 93.43 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$29.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.26/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-3.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Lafayette (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.26/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Lafayette grew -15.6% from $29.11/hr (2021) to $24.58/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.05/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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette
Looking at part-time potential and alternate work arrangements, the per diem UX designer pay in Lafayette often exceeds the local median; many freelancers and contract designers can command rates from $75 to $150 per hour based on expertise and client needs. For established professionals focusing on product design, rates may soar to $125 or even higher in specific situations, aligning more closely with larger firms or tech companies. However, many UX designers weigh the benefits of stable employment against the allure of potentially higher contract work. Some choose lower hourly wages for the assurance of health insurance and steady projects. As designers negotiate their rates, understanding the variances among employer types—tech giants, digital agencies, and in-house teams—becomes crucial. Carefully tailoring one’s pitch to highlight specific skills in design systems or Figma can also provide leverage in salary discussions, making it essential to align personal goals with local market demands.
More salary data for Lafayette, 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 Lafayette. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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