UX Designer Hourly Pay in Fort Dodge, IA: $24.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Fort Dodge, IA runs $24.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,855 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Fort Dodge's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,115 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Dodge, IA, the typical compensation for a UX designer reflects a median hourly wage of $24.93, which notably falls short of the national median of $40.06 per hour. This substantial gap indicates that local UX professionals may find themselves earning less compared to their counterparts in larger metropolitan areas. For those working part-time—such as a designer engaged in a three-day workweek—their earnings translate to around $31,425 annually, assuming a standard 24-hour work schedule. This scenario offers flexibility for workers in various environments, such as tech company design studios, agency creative spaces, and remote collaboration settings using platforms like Figma. The hourly rate can fluctuate widely, from as low as $14.46 for entry-level positions to as high as $38.64 for the most experienced designers operating in the area.
About the Fort Dodge 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) | $14.46 | $115.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.04 | $144.34 |
| Median (P50) | $24.93 | $199.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.91 | $255.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.64 | $309.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Dodge
Based on $24.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.93/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Dodge, IA can expect to earn approximately $51,858 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,918. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Dodge.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Dodge
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $997.27 | $4,322 | $51,858 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $598.36 | $2,593 | $31,115 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $398.91 | $1,729 | $20,743 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Fort Dodge) | $24.93 |
| 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 Fort Dodge, IA earn a median of $51,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.76% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 8.20% below the Iowa state average of $56,487.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.93/hr = $31,115/year (purchasing power: $34,419).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,858/year (purchasing power: $57,365).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.93/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.34/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.93/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Fort Dodge (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.34/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Fort Dodge grew 30.2% from $17.93/hr (2021) to $23.34/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.63/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 Fort Dodge 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 Fort Dodge
Considering the broader context of the UX design field, part-time designers and freelancers may find it more lucrative to engage in per-diem work, charging significantly higher rates. Many contract UX designers bill between $75 and $150 per hour, with seasoned professionals in product design often fetching between $125 and $250 hourly. Even senior design consultants can capitalize on their expertise, commanding rates from $200 to $400 per hour. Compensation structures also vary depending on whether designers are in-house at companies like tech giants or working with boutique consulting firms. Moreover, many in the field may take the trade-off of lower hourly rates for benefits such as healthcare. Negotiating the right hourly wage can be crucial, especially in a market like Fort Dodge, where the equilibrium between talent and pay scale is still developing. Understanding these dynamics can help UX designers strategize effectively in their career journeys.
More salary data for Fort Dodge, 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 Fort Dodge. 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 Fort Dodge 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