UX Designer Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $26.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $26.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,964 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,581 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, the ux designer hourly pay stands at $26.91, considerably lower than the national median of $40.06. This discrepancy reflects local market conditions and cost of living factors, where the average pay scales to more accessible levels suitable for part-time professionals and per-diem workers. Those opting for a part-time schedule, working three days a week, would earn approximately $32,459 annually at this median rate, which allows for flexibility. The hourly range for ux designers in the area varies widely, from around $15.61 for entry-level designers to as high as $41.70 for seasoned professionals. The lower end of the scale often caters to new entrants in design studios or home-based freelance roles, while top earners may find themselves in agency environments or managing pivotal roles in remote design teams using tools like Figma for collaboration.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($80,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.61 | $124.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.04 | $160.32 |
| Median (P50) | $26.91 | $215.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.44 | $275.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.70 | $333.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $26.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.91/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $55,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,290. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,076.32 | $4,664 | $55,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.79 | $2,798 | $33,581 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.53 | $1,866 | $22,387 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Cedar Falls) | $26.91 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $55,964 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.83% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.90% below the Iowa state average of $56,472.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.91/hr = $33,581/year (purchasing power: $37,147).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,969/year (purchasing power: $61,912).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.91/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Cedar Falls (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Cedar Falls grew 30.2% from $19.35/hr (2021) to $25.19/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.74/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Given the local context, part-time ux designers in Cedar Falls may find themselves taking home a modest income compared to full-time counterparts, but the appeal of flexible hours can be enticing. For per-diem roles, the situation looks even more lucrative; contract ux designers typically charge between $75-$150 per hour. Those with extensive experience can command rates that soar significantly higher, with product design specialists billing $125-$250 per hour, and senior consultants reaching into $200-$400 per hour. Hourly rates often depend on the employer type; tech companies tend to pay less than consulting firms or specialized agencies, which often require a wider range of project expertise. The trade-off remains clear: while higher hourly rates with contract work may lack benefits like health insurance, many designers still pursue these options. For those negotiating hourly pay in Cedar Falls, it's crucial to understand these dynamics, considering factors like project scope and required skills to achieve fair compensation.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
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 Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls 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