UX Designer Hourly Pay in East Chicago, IN: $26.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in East Chicago, IN runs $26.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,082 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against East Chicago's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,048 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Chicago, Indiana, the expected ux designer hourly pay is $26.48, noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $40.06. This rate significantly influences the landscape for part-time and per-diem workers who might engage in freelance design work or flexible roles at tech companies and creative agencies. For a UX designer working a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, balancing projects with clients in Figma or contributing remotely to design teams can yield substantial benefits, although earnings may not match full-time counterparts. The hourly pay ranges from $15.36 at the entry level to $41.05 for highly experienced practitioners, reflecting a competitive environment for both newcomers and seasoned designers alike.
About the East Chicago Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($78,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.36 | $122.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.07 | $152.54 |
| Median (P50) | $26.48 | $211.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.89 | $271.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.05 | $328.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Chicago
Based on $26.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.48/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Chicago, IN can expect to earn approximately $55,080 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,777. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Chicago.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Chicago
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,059.23 | $4,590 | $55,080 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.54 | $2,754 | $33,048 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.69 | $1,836 | $22,032 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (East Chicago) | $26.48 |
| 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 East Chicago, IN earn a median of $55,082 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.89% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.50% below the Indiana state average of $57,080.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.48/hr = $33,048/year (purchasing power: $36,197).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,080/year (purchasing power: $60,328).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.48/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in East Chicago (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.04/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in East Chicago grew 30.2% from $19.04/hr (2021) to $24.79/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.29/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 East Chicago 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 East Chicago
When evaluating part-time earnings, a ux designer in East Chicago working 24 hours per week might take home around $33,151 annually, contrasting sharply with the income potential of full-time positions. For those pursuing per diem opportunities, the billing rates fluctuate significantly, from $75 to $150 per hour for contract roles, with experienced product designers potentially earning rates as high as $125 to $250 per hour. These figures illustrate the variances based on employer type—the disparity between large tech firms and boutique design agencies is stark. While established companies may offer stability and benefits, freelance opportunities can provide higher hourly rates without the safety net of health insurance. For those negotiating pay, it’s vital to come prepared with market data and an understanding of one’s unique value proposition, especially in the context of East Chicago's evolving design scene.
More salary data for East Chicago, IN:
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 East Chicago. 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 East Chicago 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