UX Designer Hourly Pay in Worcester, MA: $36.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Worcester, MA runs $36.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,709 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Worcester's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,433 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Worcester, Massachusetts, the projected 2026 median hourly pay for UX designers is estimated at $36.40, which falls slightly below the national median of $40.06. This hourly rate offers a competitive wage for part-time professionals or per-diem workers in the field, especially those engaged in creative processes within tech company design studios, collaborative environments such as agency creative floors, or even home offices utilizing remote tools like Figma. For those starting out in their careers, hourly wages can begin as low as $20.68, while seasoned professionals can command rates as high as $70.97. This range indicates a diverse employment landscape in Worcester, where UX designer roles are available both in freelance settings and established firms, confirming the dynamic nature of the industry.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.68 | $165.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.02 | $232.18 |
| Median (P50) | $36.40 | $291.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57.96 | $463.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.97 | $567.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Worcester
Based on $36.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.40/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Worcester, MA can expect to earn approximately $75,721 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,685. With a cost-of-living index of 102.52 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Worcester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Worcester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,456.17 | $6,310 | $75,721 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $873.70 | $3,786 | $45,433 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $582.47 | $2,524 | $30,288 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Worcester) | $36.40 |
| 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 Worcester, MA earn a median of $75,709 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.13% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 11.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $67,779.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.40/hr = $45,433/year (purchasing power: $44,314).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,721/year (purchasing power: $73,857).
CoL index: 102.523 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$37.29/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.08/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.40/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+4.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Worcester (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $37.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $57.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $56.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.08/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Worcester grew -8.6% from $37.29/hr (2021) to $34.08/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.89/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 Worcester 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 Worcester
For those contemplating part-time work as a UX designer—say, three days a week—taking home around $28,171 annually at that hourly median presents a reasonable lifestyle, although it's significantly lower than what full-time designers earn. Many per-diem or contract UX designers bill at rates that far exceed the median; they often charge anywhere from $75 to $150 per hour, with experienced product designers earning even more, between $125 and $250 per hour. The difference reflects not just skill level but also the type of employer, with tech giants and established design agencies offering higher pay compared to startups or in-house positions. Designers need to consider the trade-offs of benefits associated with salaried positions versus the higher hourly rates available in freelance work. Successfully negotiating hourly pay in a city like Worcester requires a clear understanding of one's expertise, the specific role's demands, and the current market trends, particularly in light of shifts in the job market following the 2023 design layoffs.
More salary data for Worcester, 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 Worcester. 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