UX Designer Hourly Pay in Iowa City, IA: $27.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Iowa City, IA runs $27.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,263 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Iowa City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.92 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,754 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For UX designers in Iowa City, the hourly pay is projected to hit a median of $27.05 in 2026, a figure significantly below the national median hourly rate of $40.06. This discrepancy suggests that many in the field may need to consider alternative working arrangements, such as part-time positions—say, three days a week—where they could earn a steady income while maintaining flexibility. Freelance opportunities are also available, appealing to those who prefer working in diverse environments like tech company design studios or cozy coworking spaces. For beginners, the hourly range starts at $15.69, while top earners can command up to $41.93, highlighting the variance influenced by experience and project type in Iowa City.
About the Iowa City 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) | $15.69 | $125.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.47 | $155.79 |
| Median (P50) | $27.05 | $216.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.62 | $276.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.93 | $335.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Iowa City
Based on $27.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.05/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Iowa City, IA can expect to earn approximately $56,257 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,456. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Iowa City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Iowa City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,081.87 | $4,688 | $56,257 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $649.12 | $2,813 | $33,754 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $432.75 | $1,875 | $22,503 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Iowa City) | $27.05 |
| 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 Iowa City, IA earn a median of $56,263 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.47% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.40% below the Iowa state average of $56,489.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.05/hr = $33,754/year (purchasing power: $37,339).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,257/year (purchasing power: $62,232).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.05/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Iowa City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.45/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $57.46/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $57.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Iowa City grew 30.2% from $19.45/hr (2021) to $25.32/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.89/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 Iowa City 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 Iowa City
As a part-time UX designer working 24 hours a week, one could anticipate earning around $33,740 annually, a stark contrast to what full-time positions might yield. Meanwhile, contract and per-diem UX designers in Iowa City often find themselves in a unique spot where billing rates can vary widely—ranging from $75 to well over $150 an hour. Established professionals can demand rates as high as $400 per hour when working with boutique firms or as senior design consultants. Furthermore, hourly compensation can differ based on the employer; tech giants and renowned agencies typically offer higher rates, albeit with different working conditions compared to in-house teams or startups. Negotiation tactics should center on not only hourly pay but also health benefits, as some designers might opt for lower pay in exchange for stability, while others chase higher per-hour rates without guaranteed benefits. Practical strategies to enhance hourly rates include showcasing a robust portfolio, emphasizing experience with industry-standard tools like Figma, and articulating the specific value that one brings to potential employers in Iowa City.
More salary data for Iowa City, 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 Iowa City. 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 Iowa City 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