UX Designer Hourly Pay in Shawnee, KS: $26.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Shawnee, KS runs $26.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,374 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Shawnee's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,221 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Shawnee, Kansas, the projected hourly pay for UX designers stands at $26.62, significantly lower than the national median of $40.06 per hour. For professionals in this field, earning this hourly rate can be particularly relevant for part-time work arrangements, such as those opting for a 3-day work week, which could net them around $1,278 weekly. The variation in hourly wages is substantial, with entry-level positions earning approximately $15.45, while top earners can command rates as high as $41.26 per hour. These figures indicate that designers in the area may find themselves working in a variety of settings, including tech company design studios, collaborative environments utilizing Figma, or freelance workspaces. This range reflects both the demand for skilled UX professionals and the competitive nature of the market in Shawnee, especially as the industry navigates the impacts of recent layoffs and changing employment dynamics.
About the Shawnee 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) | $15.45 | $123.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.16 | $153.31 |
| Median (P50) | $26.62 | $212.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.08 | $272.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.26 | $330.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shawnee
Based on $26.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.62/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shawnee, KS can expect to earn approximately $55,369 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,943. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shawnee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shawnee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,064.78 | $4,614 | $55,369 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $638.87 | $2,768 | $33,221 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.91 | $1,846 | $22,147 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Shawnee) | $26.62 |
| 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 Shawnee, KS earn a median of $55,374 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.54% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.50% below the Kansas state average of $56,794.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.62/hr = $33,221/year (purchasing power: $36,547).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,369/year (purchasing power: $60,912).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.92/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.62/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Shawnee (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.43/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Shawnee grew 30.2% from $19.14/hr (2021) to $24.92/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.43/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 Shawnee 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 Shawnee
In the realm of part-time and contract work, a UX designer working three days a week could take home about $33,271 annually, a stark contrast to full-time employees who would significantly surpass that figure. This illustrates the financial implications of choosing per-diem roles or agency positions, where hourly rates can soar as high as $150 for contract work, particularly among experienced designers. While some may earn less working within larger companies—which often provide better health benefits—freelancers and agency consultants might expect to charge between $75-$400 per hour depending on their expertise and the complexity of projects. This variance necessitates careful negotiation strategies for hourly workers in Shawnee; emphasizing unique skills, familiarity with tools like Figma, and the ability to navigate between different project scopes can enhance earning potential. Overall, understanding the diverse market forces at play can empower UX professionals in Shawnee to make well-informed career decisions.
More salary data for Shawnee, 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 Shawnee. 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 Shawnee 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