UX Designer Hourly Pay in Cedar Rapids, IA: $28.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Cedar Rapids, IA runs $28.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,638 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Cedar Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.0, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.23 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,781 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Cedar Rapids, the projected median hourly pay for a UX designer is $28.67, which is significantly below the national median of $40.06. This discrepancy highlights the economic considerations for those working as UX designers in the area. For part-time workers, such as those putting in three days a week, this translates to a roughly $36,000 annual income, which may suit some lifestyles but limits full-time perks and benefits. Per-diem workers are in a unique position—typically finding employment in tech company design studios, agency creative floors, and even remote environments via collaboration tools like Figma—where they might appreciate flexible scheduling while earning between $18.29 and $41.66 per hour based on experience and project type. This official BLS data paints a clear picture of the local market dynamics for UX designers in Cedar Rapids, IA.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.29 | $146.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.40 | $179.20 |
| Median (P50) | $28.67 | $229.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.49 | $267.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.66 | $333.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Rapids
Based on $28.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.67/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Rapids, IA 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 88.96 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Rapids
| 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 (Cedar Rapids) | $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 Cedar Rapids, IA earn a median of $59,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.42% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.60% above the Iowa state average of $56,475.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.67/hr = $35,781/year (purchasing power: $40,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,635/year (purchasing power: $67,033).
CoL index: 88.963 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$29.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+5.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Cedar Rapids (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.27/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 Cedar Rapids grew -7.9% from $29.15/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 Cedar Rapids 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 Rapids
When examining the financial landscape for UX designers working in Cedar Rapids, the part-time earnings illustrate a striking reality. A full-time position typically reaps the benefits of more comprehensive income and health benefits, while part-time designers often accept lower hourly rates in exchange for flexibility. Contract or per-diem UX designers can command higher fees, often billing $75 to $150 per hour, while seasoned professionals may earn $125 to $250 per hour, depending on the complexity of their work. Various employer types in Cedar Rapids dictate substantial variations in pay; tech giants like FAANG companies generally provide higher hourly rates compared to digital agencies or in-house design teams at non-technical firms. Understanding these variances is key to negotiating effectively—designers often need to balance higher pay without benefits against a stable salary with health coverage. Those pursuing freelance opportunities should demonstrate their value, particularly in a demographic that appreciates detailed design systems post-2023. Negotiating based on demonstrated value and portfolio strength will be essential for successfully navigating pay discussions in Cedar Rapids.
More salary data for Cedar Rapids, 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 Rapids. 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