UX Designer Hourly Pay in Smyrna, DE: $52.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Smyrna, DE runs $52.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $110,143 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Smyrna's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $52.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $66,082 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Smyrna, Delaware, the projected median pay for UX designers hits an hourly rate of $52.95, significantly exceeding the national average of $40.06 per hour. This disparity indicates that local UX designers can expect a rewarding compensation package, particularly advantageous for those seeking part-time or flexible work arrangements, such as three-day-a-week schedules typical in tech design studios or freelance roles. With entry-level positions starting at around $30.71 per hour, and top-tier earners reaching up to $82.08, the range of opportunities available in Smyrna provides financial incentive for both workforce newcomers and seasoned professionals. The flexibility of being able to collaborate remotely via tools like Figma or work in dynamic environments, such as agency creative spaces, enhances the appeal of these hourly rates for individuals looking to balance their professional and personal lives.
About the Smyrna Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($111,450) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30.71 | $245.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.93 | $311.40 |
| Median (P50) | $52.95 | $423.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67.78 | $542.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82.08 | $656.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Smyrna
Based on $52.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $52.95/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Smyrna, DE can expect to earn approximately $110,137 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $63,541. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Smyrna.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Smyrna
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $2,118.03 | $9,178 | $110,137 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,270.82 | $5,507 | $66,082 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $847.21 | $3,671 | $44,055 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Smyrna) | $52.95 |
| 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 Smyrna, DE earn a median of $110,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.19% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 7.40% below the Delaware state average of $118,945.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $52.95/hr = $66,082/year (purchasing power: $64,978).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $110,137/year (purchasing power: $108,296).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$38.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$49.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$52.95/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Smyrna (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $46.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $50.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $49.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Smyrna grew 30.2% from $38.08/hr (2021) to $49.57/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $56.56/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 Smyrna 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 Smyrna
Exploring the financial dynamics of part-time and per-diem work reveals interesting earning potential for UX designers in Smyrna. A part-time designer working three days a week—effectively 24 hours—can bring home around $41,177 annually, a stark contrast to the full-time counterpart earning close to $110,143. The freelance landscape, with per-diem rates hovering between $75 and $150 per hour for general work, and expert roles earning upwards of $200 to $400 per hour, exposes the variation in compensation based on employment type. Tech companies and digital product agencies generally offer higher stability with benefits, yet this often comes at the cost of slightly lower hourly wages compared to contract roles, which might appeal to designers prioritizing flexibility. In negotiating hourly pay, professionals in Smyrna should focus on their skills, project portfolio, and the broader market trends, especially given the recent workforce shifts in the design industry following 2023 layoffs, ensuring they secure a rate that reflects their expertise and local cost of living.
More salary data for Smyrna, DE:
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 Smyrna. 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 Smyrna 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