UX Designer Hourly Pay in Waukesha, WI: $39.28 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Waukesha, WI runs $39.28 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $81,701 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Waukesha's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,019 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Waukesha, WI, UX designers earn a median hourly rate of $39.28, which sits just below the national median of $40.06. This rate makes the occupation appealing for part-time designers working three days a week, who can expect to enjoy a comfortable income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Typical settings for UX professionals range from tech company design studios equipped with collaborative spaces and whiteboards to agency environments where creativity flourishes. For various roles, hourly earnings span a wide range; entry-level positions might start at $22.78 per hour, while top earners can command up to $60.89. These figures are derived from annual salary projections but emphasize the hourly pay landscape, an important consideration for freelance or contract designers aiming for flexible work arrangements in Waukesha.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.78 | $182.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.29 | $226.29 |
| Median (P50) | $39.28 | $314.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.28 | $402.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.89 | $487.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waukesha
Based on $39.28/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.28/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waukesha, WI can expect to earn approximately $81,698 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,133. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waukesha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waukesha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,571.11 | $6,808 | $81,698 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $942.67 | $4,085 | $49,019 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $628.44 | $2,723 | $32,679 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Waukesha) | $39.28 |
| 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 Waukesha, WI earn a median of $81,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.94% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 40.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $58,358.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.28/hr = $49,019/year (purchasing power: $52,482).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $81,698/year (purchasing power: $87,471).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$28.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.28/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Waukesha (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $28.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.28/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Waukesha grew 30.2% from $28.25/hr (2021) to $36.77/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.96/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 Waukesha 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 Waukesha
Examining the potential earnings for a part-time UX designer working 24 hours a week reveals a promising income, significantly differing from a full-time salary. Part-time professionals would take home around $61,574 annually, a lucrative figure relative to other local opportunities. In contrasting the realities of per-diem or contract work, many UX designers may charge between $75 and $150 per hour, while seasoned professionals could bill between $125 and $250. In Waukesha, these hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type—whether working for tech giants, digital product agencies, or boutique consulting firms. For some, the choice of lower hourly pay with benefits can often outweigh the appeal of higher pay without insurance. Designers negotiating pay should focus on their specialized skills, such as Figma proficiency or experience with design systems, to secure the best possible hourly compensation in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waukesha, WI:
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 Waukesha. 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 Waukesha 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