UX Designer Hourly Pay in Lawrence, KS: $27.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Lawrence, KS runs $27.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,439 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Lawrence's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,461 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Lawrence, KS, the forecast for UX designer hourly pay in 2026 stands at $27.61, markedly lower than the national hourly median of $40.06. This disparity means that many local professionals, whether working part-time, around three days a week, or on a per-diem basis, may encounter challenges in achieving substantial earnings. The hourly pay range for UX designers in Lawrence moves from around $16.01 for entry-level positions to $42.80 for top earners, which aligns with industry standards while allowing for flexibility in workspace. Local design studios, digital agencies, and in-house creative teams typically foster environments conducive to collaboration, whether within tech-centric company settings or home offices. Freelance opportunities also persist, offering designers unique avenues to negotiate pay based on skill and project scope.
About the Lawrence Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($65,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.01 | $128.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.26 | $162.11 |
| Median (P50) | $27.61 | $220.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.35 | $282.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.80 | $342.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lawrence
Based on $27.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.61/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lawrence, KS can expect to earn approximately $57,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,136. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lawrence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lawrence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,104.52 | $4,786 | $57,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $662.71 | $2,872 | $34,461 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $441.81 | $1,914 | $22,974 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Lawrence) | $27.61 |
| 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 Lawrence, KS earn a median of $57,439 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.06% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.10% above the Kansas state average of $56,814.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.61/hr = $34,461/year (purchasing power: $37,911).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,435/year (purchasing power: $63,185).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.86/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.61/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Lawrence (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Lawrence grew 30.2% from $19.86/hr (2021) to $25.85/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.50/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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence
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Those considering part-time work as a UX designer in Lawrence may find earning potential varies significantly; a typical 24-hour workweek could yield about $35,160 annually, in contrast with the more lucrative opportunities available for full-time positions. In addition, per-diem and agency UX designers often command significantly higher billing rates, with figures ranging from $75 to $150 an hour for contract work. Experienced product designers can see rates soar to between $125 and $250 per hour, while senior consultants at boutique firms might charge as much as $200 to $400 hourly. Hourly rates fluctuate depending on the employer, where tech giants and established agencies, contrasted with in-house teams and startups, offer different financial viability and benefits packages. While some designers might trade higher rates for the security of traditional employment benefits, practical negotiation skills can help local designers optimize their earnings in a competitive field that has faced layoffs and restructuring following recent industry shifts.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
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 Lawrence. 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 Lawrence 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