UX Designer Hourly Pay in East Lansing, MI: $25.88 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in East Lansing, MI runs $25.88 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,836 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against East Lansing's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,301 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In East Lansing, Michigan, a UX designer earns a median hourly pay of $25.88, which is notably lower than the national median of $40.06. This discrepancy means that for part-time or per-diem workers, often employed in dynamic environments such as design studios, agency floors, or remote settings, the compensation can be significantly less than what counterparts earn elsewhere in the country. For those working three days a week at 24 hours total, the income adds up but still reflects regional economic conditions. Entry-level designers typically see starting rates around $15.01, while seasoned professionals can command up to $40.12 per hour, illustrating a broad spectrum of potential earnings within this field.
About the East Lansing Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($80,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.01 | $120.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.92 | $151.34 |
| Median (P50) | $25.88 | $207.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.12 | $265.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.12 | $320.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in East Lansing
Based on $25.88/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.88/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in East Lansing, MI can expect to earn approximately $53,836 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,059. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in East Lansing.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in East Lansing
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,035.30 | $4,486 | $53,836 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $621.18 | $2,692 | $32,301 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.12 | $1,795 | $21,534 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (East Lansing) | $25.88 |
| 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 Lansing, MI earn a median of $53,836 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.39% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.80% below the Michigan state average of $54,270.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.88/hr = $32,301/year (purchasing power: $34,658).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,836/year (purchasing power: $57,763).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.23/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.88/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in East Lansing (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.39/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.88/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in East Lansing grew 30.2% from $18.61/hr (2021) to $24.23/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.65/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 Lansing 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 Lansing
When examining the part-time potential further, a UX designer in East Lansing working three days a week could expect to take home around $32,256 annually, markedly less than if they were employed full-time. In contrast, per-diem UX designers, especially those in agency or freelance roles, often bill rates that are considerably higher, ranging from $75 to $150 per hour, depending on their experience and the type of work—established product designers may demand $125 to $250 per hour with senior consultants even reaching up to $400. It is evident that hourly rates vary widely across different employer types; larger tech companies may offer competitive salaries, but smaller agencies or consulting firms may necessitate a trade-off—health benefits in exchange for lower pay. For those interested in negotiating, understanding the local market and articulating a portfolio's value can lead to better hourly terms in East Lansing's competitive design environment.
More salary data for East Lansing, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for ux designers in East Lansing in 2026?
How much do part-time ux designers make in East Lansing?
Are ux designers in East Lansing paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time ux designer make per year in East Lansing?
Do ux designers earn more per hour working part-time in East Lansing?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Michigan
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 Lansing. 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 Lansing 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