UX Designer Hourly Pay in Des Moines, IA: $29.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Des Moines, IA runs $29.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,631 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.7, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,381 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Des Moines, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for a UX designer is set at $29.15, which is significantly lower than the national median of $40.06. This disparity suggests that local designers may face limitations in earning potential compared to their peers in larger markets. However, the hourly rate caters well to various work arrangements, making it suitable for part-time professionals or those engaging in per-diem work. Designers working in tech company design studios, agency environments, or freelance setups can find flexibility in their schedules, typically covering three days a week. The hourly earnings in Des Moines range from $15.31 for entry-level positions to $49.91 for the most experienced designers, indicating a clear pathway for career progression within the field based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.31 | $122.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.17 | $177.32 |
| Median (P50) | $29.15 | $233.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.18 | $281.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.91 | $399.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Des Moines
Based on $29.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.15/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $60,634 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,981. With a cost-of-living index of 91.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,166.05 | $5,053 | $60,634 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $699.63 | $3,032 | $36,381 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.42 | $2,021 | $24,254 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Des Moines) | $29.15 |
| 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 Des Moines, IA earn a median of $60,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.23% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 7.30% above the Iowa state average of $56,506.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.15/hr = $36,381/year (purchasing power: $39,673).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,634/year (purchasing power: $66,122).
CoL index: 91.701 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.15/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Des Moines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Des Moines grew 30.2% from $20.96/hr (2021) to $27.29/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.14/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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines
In the context of part-time work, a UX designer working three days a week and clocking 24 hours would earn approximately $41,424 annually, contrasting sharply with full-time earnings. On a contract or per-diem basis, UX designers may charge between $75 and $150 an hour, with experienced professionals potentially billing up to $400 hourly for specialized services. This range illustrates the stark differences in pay based on project type and employer across Des Moines. Freelancers and those with expertise in design systems are often in demand, especially post-2023 layoffs in tech companies. Additionally, UX designers should consider the trade-offs in hourly rates; opting for positions with benefits can mean lower pay compared to freelance gigs that come without such offerings. Negotiating effectively, particularly when working within Des Moines’ varied design environments, can significantly enhance one’s earning potential in a competitive market.
More salary data for Des Moines, 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 Des Moines. 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, 4-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