UX Designer Hourly Pay in Traverse City, MI: $24.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Traverse City, MI runs $24.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,381 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Traverse City's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,835 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Traverse City, Michigan, the projected median hourly pay for UX designers stands at $24.71, significantly lower than the national median of $40.06 per hour. This disparity reflects various local market conditions, including a cost of living index that sits below the national average. For those considering part-time work as UX designers, such as a three-day work week, the compensation translates to lower annual earnings, appealing to personal preferences like flexibility or supplementary income. With an hourly range from $14.32 at the entry-level to $38.28 for more seasoned professionals, it's essential for individuals in this field to understand how their skills align with their potential earnings in collaborative environments typically found in tech companies, design agencies, or freelance opportunities.
About the Traverse 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) | $14.32 | $114.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.79 | $142.28 |
| Median (P50) | $24.71 | $197.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.62 | $252.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.28 | $306.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Traverse City
Based on $24.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.71/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Traverse City, MI can expect to earn approximately $51,392 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,649. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Traverse City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Traverse City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $988.30 | $4,283 | $51,392 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $592.98 | $2,570 | $30,835 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $395.32 | $1,713 | $20,557 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Traverse City) | $24.71 |
| 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 Traverse City, MI earn a median of $51,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 38.33% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.40% below the Michigan state average of $54,314.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.71/hr = $30,835/year (purchasing power: $33,085).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,392/year (purchasing power: $55,141).
CoL index: 93.2 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.71/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Traverse City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.18/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Traverse City grew 30.2% from $17.77/hr (2021) to $23.13/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.39/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 Traverse 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 Traverse City
Part-time UX designers operating on a 24-hour weekly schedule can expect to take home approximately $38,184 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart, but it may complement other income streams or serve as a non-traditional career path. Interestingly, per-diem and contract roles offer a vastly different picture; some UX designers bill between $75 and $150 per hour, while accomplished product designers might command hourly rates of $125-$250. In Traverse City, wages vary based on the employer type, with tech companies generally offering higher pay than in-house teams or agencies. Many professionals weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower hourly wages for benefits like health insurance versus higher rates in freelance or contract roles that provide no safety nets. To optimize pay, it's advisable for hourly workers to clearly communicate their value, especially in specialized fields of UX design, to negotiate better rates aligned with the local market's demand.
More salary data for Traverse 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 Traverse 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 Traverse 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