UX Designer Hourly Pay in Fort Smith, AR: $26.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Fort Smith, AR runs $26.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,963 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Fort Smith's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.41 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,981 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fort Smith, AR, the ux designer hourly pay is projected to be about $26.43 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $40.06 per hour. This disparity presents interesting implications for both part-time opportunities and freelance work. With the rate being relatively modest, a designer working three days a week could expect to earn about $22,000 annually, a point of consideration for individuals seeking alternatives to the full-time grind. Entry-level positions typically start around $15.33 per hour, while the most experienced professionals in the area can command rates as high as $40.95. The ux designer hourly rate in Fort Smith reflects industry standards shaped by local cost-of-living factors, offering a unique working environment whether in a tech company, a creative agency, or even in remote collaboration spaces like Figma.
About the Fort Smith Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas average ($74,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.33 | $122.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.02 | $152.20 |
| Median (P50) | $26.43 | $211.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.82 | $270.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.95 | $327.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Smith
Based on $26.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.43/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Smith, AR can expect to earn approximately $54,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,713. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Smith.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Smith
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,057.09 | $4,581 | $54,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $634.25 | $2,748 | $32,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.84 | $1,832 | $21,987 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Fort Smith) | $26.43 |
| 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 Fort Smith, AR earn a median of $54,963 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.03% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.20% above the Arkansas state average of $54,311.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.43/hr = $32,981/year (purchasing power: $37,953).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,969/year (purchasing power: $63,255).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$14.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.43/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+93.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Fort Smith (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $14.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Fort Smith grew 69.3% from $14.61/hr (2021) to $24.74/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.23/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 Fort Smith 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 Fort Smith
Hourly earnings for ux designers in Fort Smith can be particularly variable based on employment type. For part-time designers working a typical schedule, the annual income starkly contrasts with full-time positions, emphasizing the importance of workforce choices. Many per-diem ux designer roles, particularly in high-demand niches, can charge significantly higher rates, often ranging between $75 to $150 per hour for freelance gigs. In contract work, seasoned product designers often bill $125 to $250 per hour, indicating that the agency and consulting firms may provide more lucrative short-term opportunities compared to traditional employment. This bifurcation signifies a trade-off between higher hourly rates and the stability of benefits that come from full-time positions. Understanding the nuances in payment structures, such as negotiating terms that reflect experience level and market demand, is essential for professionals in the area navigating their compensation strategy effectively.
More salary data for Fort Smith, AR:
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 Fort Smith. 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 Fort Smith 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