UX Designer Hourly Pay in Kentwood, MI: $29.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Kentwood, MI runs $29.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Kentwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,034 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, UX designers in Kentwood, Michigan, draw a median hourly rate of $29.67, which is significantly lower than the national average of $40.06. This differential highlights the local market's unique conditions, which can affect both full-time and part-time roles. For part-time designers working roughly three days a week, this hourly rate provides around $36,532 annually, allowing a decent living but less flexibility compared to their full-time counterparts. The pay range in Kentwood varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at about $17.21 an hour, while experienced professionals can earn upwards of $46.00 per hour. For freelancers or contract workers exploring per-diem UX designer pay in Kentwood, the rates can fluctuate further, reflecting the increased demand for specialized skills in various settings like tech company design studios or remote collaboration environments powered by tools like Figma.
About the Kentwood 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) | $17.21 | $137.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.36 | $170.91 |
| Median (P50) | $29.67 | $237.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.99 | $303.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.00 | $367.97 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kentwood
Based on $29.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.67/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kentwood, MI can expect to earn approximately $61,723 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,610. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kentwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kentwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,186.98 | $5,144 | $61,723 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.19 | $3,086 | $37,034 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.79 | $2,057 | $24,689 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Kentwood) | $29.67 |
| 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 Kentwood, MI earn a median of $61,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.92% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 13.70% above the Michigan state average of $54,285.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.67/hr = $37,034/year (purchasing power: $39,736).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,723/year (purchasing power: $66,227).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$21.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Kentwood (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $21.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.32/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Kentwood grew 30.2% from $21.34/hr (2021) to $27.78/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.70/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 Kentwood 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 Kentwood
While the standard hourly wage provides a baseline for full-time employment, part-time UX designers in Kentwood will find that the financial landscape shifts considerably for freelance and contract roles. For those working in a per-diem setting, billing rates can climb to between $75 and $150 per hour for general contract work, rising for seasoned product designers and UX research consultants. Positions at established firms may offer rates from $125 to $400 per hour, depending on whether they are in-house or part of an agency, reinforcing the value of comprehensive design expertise. Consultants tend to command higher fees due to the specialized nature of their work, creating a trade-off where some might opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance. For UX designers in Kentwood navigating salary negotiations, awareness of regional idiosyncrasies is crucial; emphasizing skills in current design systems can bolster bargaining power, especially as market dynamics continue to evolve in the aftermath of recent tech industry layoffs.
More salary data for Kentwood, 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 Kentwood. 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 Kentwood 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