UX Designer Hourly Pay in Marlborough, MA: $32.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Marlborough, MA runs $32.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,933 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Marlborough's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,167 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Marlborough, the projected median hourly pay for UX designers stands at $32.18, significantly lower than the national median of $40.06 per hour. For those considering flexible work arrangements, this hourly rate can translate into meaningful earnings, especially for part-time roles that typically involve three days of work per week, offering a balance suitable for many designers. The hourly pay range varies from $18.66 for entry-level positions up to $49.87 for top-tier professionals, underscoring the potential for lucrative freelance or contract opportunities. Many UX designers in Marlborough operate in environments that embrace collaboration tools like Figma, whether within tech company design studios or remote setups, allowing for a diverse array of project experiences in both in-house and agency roles.
About the Marlborough Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($115,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.66 | $149.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.17 | $185.35 |
| Median (P50) | $32.18 | $257.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.19 | $329.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.87 | $398.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Marlborough
Based on $32.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.18/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Marlborough, MA can expect to earn approximately $66,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,622. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Marlborough.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Marlborough
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,287.39 | $5,579 | $66,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $772.44 | $3,347 | $40,167 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $514.96 | $2,231 | $26,778 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Marlborough) | $32.18 |
| 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 Marlborough, MA earn a median of $66,933 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.67% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.30% below the Massachusetts state average of $67,815.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.18/hr = $40,167/year (purchasing power: $37,020).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,945/year (purchasing power: $61,700).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$23.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.18/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Marlborough (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $59.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.38/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Marlborough grew 30.2% from $23.15/hr (2021) to $30.13/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.38/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 Marlborough 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 Marlborough
Part-time UX designers working three days a week can expect to take home around $40,000 annually based on a 24-hour work schedule, contrasting sharply with full-time positions that can offer twice that figure. For per-diem roles, it’s common for UX designers to invoice at rates ranging from $75 to $150 per hour, with seasoned product designers commanding even higher fees of $125 to $250. Those associated with boutique consulting firms or high-demand freelancing may charge an impressive $200 to $400 per hour, highlighting the variance driven by employer type. Designers in Marlborough might weigh the benefits of lower hourly wages at larger firms against the higher rates available in freelance work, particularly since some prefer stability and health insurance. Effective negotiation can play a key role in salary discussions, particularly given the local cost of living index and growing demand in specialized areas like design systems.
More salary data for Marlborough, MA:
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 Marlborough. 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 Marlborough 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