UX Designer Hourly Pay in Elk River, MN: $28.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Elk River, MN runs $28.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,305 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Elk River's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,181 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Elk River, Minnesota, the projected median hourly pay for UX designers stands at $28.99. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $40.06 per hour, reflecting the more modest economic landscape of the region. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly rate translates into approximately $29,000 annually, which may appeal to those seeking flexibility in tech company design studios or remote collaboration setups. Entry-level UX designers can expect to earn around $16.81 per hour, while seasoned professionals may see rates soar to $44.94 per hour. The hourly range reflects the varying demands in diverse settings, from agency creative floors to freelance home offices, allowing for a wide spectrum of experiences in the UX design field.
About the Elk River Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.81 | $134.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.20 | $169.63 |
| Median (P50) | $28.99 | $231.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.11 | $296.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.94 | $359.51 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elk River
Based on $28.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.99/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elk River, MN can expect to earn approximately $60,301 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,789. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elk River.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elk River
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,159.64 | $5,025 | $60,301 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $695.78 | $3,015 | $36,181 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.86 | $2,010 | $24,120 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Elk River) | $28.99 |
| 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 Elk River, MN earn a median of $60,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.62% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.00% below the Minnesota state average of $61,536.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.99/hr = $36,181/year (purchasing power: $36,732).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,301/year (purchasing power: $61,219).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$20.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.99/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Elk River (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $20.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.97/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Elk River grew 30.2% from $20.85/hr (2021) to $27.14/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.97/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 Elk River 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 Elk River
For part-time designers working 24 hours a week, annual earnings will differ significantly compared to full-time counterparts. While a full-time UX designer’s salary can provide a stable income, part-time arrangements allow for a work-life balance that many in the industry value today. Contract or per-diem UX designers might find themselves billing rates that range from $75 to even $400 per hour depending on their experience and the complexity of their projects. Agency work or consultancy roles also often offer higher per-diem rates compared to in-house design positions in Elk River. This scenario highlights the trade-off between stable hourly rates with benefits versus higher hourly payment without additional perks. Negotiation tactics become vital, with local designers encouraged to research rates and embrace their unique skills when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Elk River, MN:
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 Elk River. 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 Elk River 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