UX Designer Hourly Pay in Staunton, VA: $29.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Staunton, VA runs $29.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,832 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Staunton's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,101 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the median hourly rate for UX designers in Staunton, Virginia stands at $29.73, significantly trailing the national average hourly rate of $40.06. This hourly figure creates unique opportunities for part-time and per-diem workers in tech company design studios, agency environments, and remote freelance roles. For instance, a UX designer working three days a week typically accumulates a steady income, even if it falls below their peers in larger cities. The hourly range for UX designers in Staunton stretches from $17.24 for entry-level roles to approximately $46.07 for highly experienced professionals. These estimates are formulated based on annual salary projections and indicate the diverse earning potential present in this creative sector, catering to a variety of workplace settings from collaborative Figma design sessions to cozy home offices.
About the Staunton Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.24 | $137.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.61 | $172.88 |
| Median (P50) | $29.73 | $237.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.05 | $304.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.07 | $368.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Staunton
Based on $29.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.73/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Staunton, VA can expect to earn approximately $61,834 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,674. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Staunton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Staunton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,189.12 | $5,153 | $61,834 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.47 | $3,092 | $37,101 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.65 | $2,061 | $24,734 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Staunton) | $29.73 |
| 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 Staunton, VA earn a median of $61,832 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.79% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 4.10% below the Virginia state average of $64,475.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.73/hr = $37,101/year (purchasing power: $35,950).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,834/year (purchasing power: $59,917).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$21.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.73/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Staunton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $21.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Staunton grew 30.2% from $21.38/hr (2021) to $27.83/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.76/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 Staunton 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 Staunton
Considering the potential for part-time work, a UX designer in Staunton putting in 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $37,194 annually, a notable difference from a full-time income. Per-diem or agency work significantly alters earning potential; freelancers and independent contractors might charge between $75 and $150 per hour, with experienced product designers billing at rates as high as $250 per hour. Employers such as FAANG tech firms, digital product agencies, and in-house product teams influence how pay rates vary across the region. Some designers balance the trade-off between lower hourly rates with benefits in traditional roles versus pursuing higher pay without benefits in freelance positions. To maximize earning potential, local UX designers should focus on showcasing their specialized skills and negotiating effectively, particularly considering Staunton's growing design community, which is embracing both agency and in-house environments post-2023 layoffs.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
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 Staunton. 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 Staunton 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