UX Designer Hourly Pay in South Portland, ME: $26.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in South Portland, ME runs $26.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,803 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against South Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.6, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,888 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Portland, Maine, the 2026 ux designer hourly pay averages around $26.35, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $40.06. This discrepancy reflects broader economic trends that can pose challenges for designers working in varied settings such as tech company design studios, agency environments, or freelance arrangements. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day work schedule, that hourly pay translates to a manageable income that can support a flexible lifestyle. As for entry-level positions, individuals can expect rates starting from $15.29, while experienced designers can command up to $40.84 per hour. This range highlights the earning potential variation depending on experience and the specific nature of the work environment, whether in-house or freelance.
About the South Portland Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($88,300) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.29 | $122.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.97 | $151.77 |
| Median (P50) | $26.35 | $210.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.72 | $269.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.84 | $326.70 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Portland
Based on $26.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.35/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $54,813 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,623. With a cost-of-living index of 99.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,054.10 | $4,568 | $54,813 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $632.46 | $2,741 | $32,888 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $421.64 | $1,827 | $21,925 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (South Portland) | $26.35 |
| 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 South Portland, ME earn a median of $54,803 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.23% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 11.90% below the Maine state average of $62,205.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.35/hr = $32,888/year (purchasing power: $33,020).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,813/year (purchasing power: $55,033).
CoL index: 99.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.35/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in South Portland (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in South Portland grew 30.2% from $18.95/hr (2021) to $24.67/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.15/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 South Portland 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 South Portland
Analyzing the potential earnings for a part-time ux designer working 24 hours per week provides further insights into the financial landscape. Under this schedule, a designer might bring home around $33,000 annually. In contrast, per-diem or contract opportunities offer a different picture, where designers can bill rates between $75 and $150 an hour, with seasoned professionals and consultants charging even higher fees. The pay varies across sectors in South Portland; tech firms might provide more stable salaries with benefits, while boutique design agencies could offer exciting project scopes but at lower hourly rates or without health benefits. Designers negotiating their compensation should consider such trade-offs while also emphasizing their unique skills in tools like Figma to maximize their earning potential. Tailoring hourly rates to reflect the nature of their work—freelance, in-house, or a hybrid—can also strengthen their negotiation position in this competitive field.
More salary data for South Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for ux designers in South Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time ux designers make in South Portland?
Are ux designers in South Portland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time ux designer make per year in South Portland?
Do ux designers earn more per hour working part-time in South Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maine
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 South Portland. 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 South Portland 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