UX Designer Hourly Pay in West Des Moines, IA: $28.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in West Des Moines, IA runs $28.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,848 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against West Des Moines's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,914 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In West Des Moines, Iowa, the projected median hourly pay for a UX designer stands at $28.78/hr, considerably lower than the national median of $40.06/hr. This discrepancy suggests a unique compensation landscape for local designers, reflecting the cost of living and market demand. For those looking to work part-time or on a per-diem basis, such as in creative agency environments or remote collaborative setups using tools like Figma, this rate offers a steady yet modest income. Entry-level designers may earn as little as $16.69/hr, while top earners can make up to $44.60/hr, creating a diverse wage spectrum that aligns with experience and skill set within various organizational contexts, including tech companies, design agencies, and freelance opportunities.
About the West Des Moines 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) | $16.69 | $133.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.71 | $165.70 |
| Median (P50) | $28.78 | $230.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.83 | $294.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.60 | $356.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Des Moines
Based on $28.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.78/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Des Moines, IA can expect to earn approximately $59,857 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,533. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Des Moines.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Des Moines
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,151.09 | $4,988 | $59,857 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.66 | $2,993 | $35,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.44 | $1,995 | $23,943 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (West Des Moines) | $28.78 |
| 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 West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $59,848 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.17% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.90% above the Iowa state average of $56,514.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.78/hr = $35,914/year (purchasing power: $39,728).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,857/year (purchasing power: $66,213).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.94/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.78/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in West Des Moines (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in West Des Moines grew 30.2% from $20.69/hr (2021) to $26.94/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.74/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 West 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 West Des Moines
For part-time UX designers working three days a week, taking home produces an annual income that significantly trails full-time counterparts. While a standard full-time designer generates income based on a 40-hour week, part-time professionals working around 24 hours would see their earnings capped at about $43,000, post-tax considerations notwithstanding. Per-diem options reveal that contract UX designers can bill substantially more, ranging from $75 to $150/hr, while seasoned product designers and consultants may command rates that escalate into the $200-$400/hr bracket. Differences across employer types in West Des Moines illustrate wage variations; tech giants and digital product agencies tend to offer better compensation than consulting firms or startups. While some UX professionals opt for lower hourly rates for health benefits, others might prioritize higher pay with contract roles that lack traditional healthcare coverage. Effective negotiation is vital in this landscape, enabling workers to advocate for their worth while balancing the trade-offs inherent in contract versus full-time employment settings.
More salary data for West 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 West 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
Salary data for West Des Moines 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