UX Designer Hourly Pay in St. Paul, MN: $31.16 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in St. Paul, MN runs $31.16 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,822 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against St. Paul's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.5, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,887 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median hourly rate of $31.16, UX designer hourly pay in St. Paul, MN is considerably below the national median of $40.06. This rate significantly impacts professionals working part time, such as those opting for a three-day work week, which totals around 24 hours and can lead to a take-home income of approximately $62,500 annually. The pay range for UX designers in the area varies widely, from $18.07 at the 10th percentile to $48.30 at the 90th percentile, accommodating both entry-level roles and highly experienced designers. Positions may be found in various settings, whether in tech company design studios, freelance home offices, or bustling agency environments, reflecting a diverse work style adaptable to hybrid and remote operations using tools like Figma.
About the St. Paul 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) | $18.07 | $144.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.44 | $179.54 |
| Median (P50) | $31.16 | $249.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.89 | $319.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.30 | $386.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Paul
Based on $31.16/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.16/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Paul, MN can expect to earn approximately $64,812 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,391. With a cost-of-living index of 98.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Paul.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Paul
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,246.38 | $5,401 | $64,812 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $747.83 | $3,241 | $38,887 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.55 | $2,160 | $25,925 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (St. Paul) | $31.16 |
| 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 St. Paul, MN earn a median of $64,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.20% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.30% above the Minnesota state average of $61,559.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.16/hr = $38,887/year (purchasing power: $39,479).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,812/year (purchasing power: $65,799).
CoL index: 98.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.16/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in St. Paul (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.16/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in St. Paul grew 30.2% from $22.41/hr (2021) to $29.17/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.28/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 St. Paul 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 St. Paul
In practical terms, part-time UX designers in St. Paul can expect to earn well while retaining flexibility, but the real earning potential often leans on the type of employment. Contract and per-diem UX designers frequently bill rates between $75 and $150 per hour, which can substantially increase their annual take-home based on project load. Senior consultants may command even higher rates, with some earning $200 to $400 per hour at upscale boutiques. It's essential to note that companies in St. Paul, including major tech players and top design agencies, offer varied compensation structures; thus, hourly rates can fluctuate greatly based on sector. While some designers accept lower rates for the security of benefits, others may negotiate higher pay without them. Understanding the local market, establishing clear expectations, and being transparent about career goals can offer valuable insights for negotiating a better hourly rate in this dynamic field.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 St. Paul. 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 St. Paul 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