UX Designer Hourly Pay in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $29.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY runs $29.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,112 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Louisville/Jefferson County's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,661 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
UX designers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, can expect a median hourly rate of $29.38, significantly lower than the national hourly median of $40.06. This disparity may influence both part-time and per-diem workers in the field, as many choose to work flexible schedules in tech company design studios, agency creative environments, or through remote Figma collaborations. For those entering the field, the hourly range starts at approximately $20.57, while top earners can reach up to $52.29. Official data from BLS indicates this hourly structure reflects the local market's demand for design talent within varied work environments, including freelance and hybrid setups, which is critical for understanding the economic positioning of UX designers in the region as of 2026.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.57 | $164.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.01 | $208.09 |
| Median (P50) | $29.38 | $235.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.05 | $288.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.29 | $418.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Louisville/Jefferson County
Based on $29.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.38/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY can expect to earn approximately $61,101 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,251. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Louisville/Jefferson County.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Louisville/Jefferson County
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,175.02 | $5,092 | $61,101 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $705.01 | $3,055 | $36,661 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $470.01 | $2,037 | $24,440 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Louisville/Jefferson County) | $29.38 |
| 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 Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $61,112 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.65% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 9.50% above the Kentucky state average of $55,810.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.38/hr = $36,661/year (purchasing power: $39,389).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,101/year (purchasing power: $65,648).
CoL index: 93.074 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$29.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.38/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+7.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Louisville/Jefferson County (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $29.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $41.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Louisville/Jefferson County grew -6.2% from $29.32/hr (2021) to $27.50/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.38/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 Louisville/Jefferson County 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 Louisville/Jefferson County
When considering the financial implications of part-time and contract positions, a UX designer working three days a week, for a total of 24 hours, could take home considerably less annually than a full-time counterpart. Per-diem opportunities in Louisville/Jefferson County might tempt experienced designers with figures ranging from $75 to $150 per hour. For those with impressive portfolios, especially in product design, the pay could skyrocket to $200-$400 per hour in freelance settings. The local hourly rates also vary by employer type; top tech companies and premier agencies typically offer more competitive pay than non-tech firms. Nonetheless, the trade-off between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that include health insurance can impact decision-making for many UX professionals in the area. To enhance negotiation power, candidates should prioritize clearly articulating their unique value propositions to potential employers while remaining conscious of Louisville and Jefferson County's market dynamics for UX designer hourly pay.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for ux designers in Louisville/Jefferson County in 2026?
How much do part-time ux designers make in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Are ux designers in Louisville/Jefferson County paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time ux designer make per year in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Do ux designers earn more per hour working part-time in Louisville/Jefferson County?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kentucky
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 Louisville/Jefferson County. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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