UX Designer Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $20.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Athens, GA runs $20.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,948 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,169 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the projected ux designer hourly pay stands at $20.17, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $40.06. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this equates to approximately $1,049.36 monthly, which can be a limitation in a market where tech companies and design agencies offer varied compensation models. The hourly rate in Athens reflects a range from $13.84 for entry-level positions to $32.42 for the most experienced designers, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates. These figures indicate that while there are attractive opportunities within local tech design studios, digital product agencies, and freelance environments, the overall compensation does not keep pace with national averages, thereby affecting part-time and per-diem workers in this field.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.84 | $110.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.84 | $110.75 |
| Median (P50) | $20.17 | $161.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.68 | $253.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.42 | $259.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $20.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.17/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $41,949 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,201. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $806.70 | $3,496 | $41,949 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $484.02 | $2,097 | $25,169 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $322.68 | $1,398 | $16,779 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Athens) | $20.17 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $41,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.65% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 27.90% below the Georgia state average of $58,181.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.17/hr = $25,169/year (purchasing power: $26,964).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,949/year (purchasing power: $44,940).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.17/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Athens (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.54/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Athens grew 30.2% from $14.50/hr (2021) to $18.88/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.54/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 Athens 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 Athens
Contract and freelance ux designers, who often operate on a per-diem basis, have the potential to earn significantly more than their hourly counterparts in traditional employment settings. Many per-diem ux designers bill rates between $75 and $150 per hour, while senior practitioners in high-demand roles can command between $200 and $400 hourly. This disparity often results in contract designers opting for flexible arrangements in exchange for higher pay and a varied workload. However, the tradeoff may involve forgoing benefits such as health insurance that typically comes with full-time positions in larger organizations. Negotiating rates effectively becomes critical; understanding the local industry standards in Athens is key. Taking time to gather insights about employer types—be it tech heavyweights, boutique agencies, or freelance roles—will empower designers to advocate for competitive ux designer hourly rates while weighing the benefits of employment stability against the financial rewards of contract work.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for ux designers in Athens in 2026?
How much do part-time ux designers make in Athens?
Are ux designers in Athens paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time ux designer make per year in Athens?
Do ux designers earn more per hour working part-time in Athens?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 Athens. 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, 3-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