UX Designer Hourly Pay in Emporia, KS: $25.21 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Emporia, KS runs $25.21 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,441 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Emporia's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,461 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer hourly pay in Emporia, Kansas, stands at a median rate of $25.21, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $40.06. This disparity suggests that part-time workers, such as those taking on 24 hours per week, might earn around $31,007 annually, which limits their financial flexibility compared to full-time counterparts. For entry-level designers, starting hourly rates hover around $14.62, while experienced professionals can command up to $39.07, illustrating a wide range of earning potential within the local market. UX designers in Emporia often find themselves working in creative environments such as agency floors or team pods, where projects may use collaborative tools like Figma. Therefore, the hourly rates reflect various factors, including role specialization and employer type, ultimately shaping the working experience in this community.
About the Emporia Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($65,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.62 | $116.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.43 | $147.41 |
| Median (P50) | $25.21 | $201.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.27 | $258.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.07 | $312.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Emporia
Based on $25.21/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.21/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Emporia, KS can expect to earn approximately $52,436 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,251. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Emporia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Emporia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,008.38 | $4,370 | $52,436 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.03 | $2,622 | $31,461 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.35 | $1,748 | $20,974 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Emporia) | $25.21 |
| 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 Emporia, KS earn a median of $52,441 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.06% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 7.70% below the Kansas state average of $56,816.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.21/hr = $31,461/year (purchasing power: $34,611).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,436/year (purchasing power: $57,685).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.21/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Emporia (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.59/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.21/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.93/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Emporia grew 30.2% from $18.13/hr (2021) to $23.60/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.93/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 Emporia 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 Emporia
For those in the ux design field, the part-time earning potential in Emporia can present a considerable difference versus full-time roles. A ux designer working three days a week may find themselves with a more limited financial outlook, especially when comparing it to the annual take-home earnings of full-timers. On the contract side, per-diem ux designer pay in Emporia can vary widely, where freelancers or agency workers might bill between $75-$150 an hour, with specialized consultants potentially earning even more. The variance in pay often reflects the type of employer, as tech giants offer higher compensation but may have narrower scopes while agencies frequently provide a broader range of project experiences at lower hourly rates. Furthermore, design professionals must weigh the benefits of lower hourly pay that includes health insurance against the allure of higher freelance rates without benefits. Negotiation for favorable pay can also depend on local market conditions and the demand for design talent, making it essential for ux designers in Emporia to stay informed about industry standards and their own market value.
More salary data for Emporia, KS:
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 Emporia. 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 Emporia 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