UX Designer Hourly Pay in Bay City, MI: $25.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Bay City, MI runs $25.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,898 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Bay City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,341 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bay City, Michigan, the expected hourly pay for UX designers is projected at $25.91, which is significantly lower than the national average of $40.06. This disparity suggests that local opportunities may not fully capitalize on the prevailing market demands observed in larger cities or more tech-heavy regions. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this rate translates to substantial earnings of around $1,241.84 per week for 24 hours of work. Entry-level designers may start at around $15.03 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $40.16 hourly. These estimations, derived from the projected annual salary data for 2026, highlight the wide range of pay according to experience and role, particularly within environments such as tech company design studios, creative agency spaces, and freelance setups where collaboration tools like Figma play a central role.
About the Bay City Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($80,600) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.03 | $120.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.66 | $149.29 |
| Median (P50) | $25.91 | $207.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.17 | $265.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.16 | $321.31 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bay City
Based on $25.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.91/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bay City, MI can expect to earn approximately $53,902 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,097. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bay City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bay City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,036.58 | $4,492 | $53,902 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $621.95 | $2,695 | $32,341 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $414.63 | $1,797 | $21,561 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Bay City) | $25.91 |
| 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 Bay City, MI earn a median of $53,898 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.31% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $54,278.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.91/hr = $32,341/year (purchasing power: $34,701).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,902/year (purchasing power: $57,835).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.91/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Bay City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Bay City grew 30.2% from $18.64/hr (2021) to $24.26/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.68/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 Bay City 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 Bay City
Part-time UX designers in Bay City can expect to take home approximately $64,000 annually when working at this hourly rate, which positions them at a financial disadvantage compared to their full-time counterparts. Contract and per-diem UX designers, often billing between $75 and $150 per hour, can significantly increase their earnings in flexible work arrangements, allowing them to capitalize on varying projects without being tied to a single employer. Experienced product designers may command rates over $125 per hour, while senior consultants at boutique firms can reach $200 to $400 an hour, reflecting the high premium placed on specialized skills and expertise. As Bay City continues to evolve its tech landscape, the negotiating edge for UX designers lies in understanding employer types—from established tech companies to startups and agencies—and assessing whether they want to prioritize higher pay at the cost of benefits or settle for a lower hourly rate that includes health insurance. Insight into the local market and skill valuation can profoundly influence compensation discussions for hourly workers, making it crucial for designers to remain informed and flexible.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
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 Bay City. 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 Bay City 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