UX Designer Hourly Pay in St. Joseph, MO: $26.99 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in St. Joseph, MO runs $26.99 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,151 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against St. Joseph's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,688 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

St. Joseph, Missouri, is home to a diverse range of opportunities for UX designers, with the median hourly pay projected to be $26.99 in 2026. This figure significantly lags behind the national hourly median of $40.06. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to a maximum potential income of about $28,000 annually, which could be an appealing option for those balancing other responsibilities or freelance gigs. The hourly range for designers in St. Joseph spans from $15.66 for entry-level positions to as high as $41.84 for top earners, reflecting the industry's typical structure where agency work or remote setups using tools like Figma are prevalent among both contract and full-time employees.
About the St. Joseph Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($88,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.66 | $125.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.44 | $155.53 |
| Median (P50) | $26.99 | $215.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.56 | $276.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.84 | $334.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Joseph
Based on $26.99/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.99/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Joseph, MO can expect to earn approximately $56,146 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,392. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Joseph.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Joseph
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,079.74 | $4,679 | $56,146 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $647.84 | $2,807 | $33,688 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $431.89 | $1,872 | $22,459 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (St. Joseph) | $26.99 |
| 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 St. Joseph, MO earn a median of $56,151 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.61% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.30% above the Missouri state average of $55,983.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.99/hr = $33,688/year (purchasing power: $37,598).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,146/year (purchasing power: $62,663).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.99/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in St. Joseph (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.32/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.99/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.83/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in St. Joseph grew 30.2% from $19.41/hr (2021) to $25.27/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.83/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. Joseph 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. Joseph
Focusing on the part-time and per-diem potential for UX designers reveals a nuanced picture of earning capabilities in St. Joseph. Those taking on per-diem contracts can command rates between $75 and $150 per hour, with seasoned product designers often earning $125 to $250 for their expertise. Large tech firms and consulting boutiques may offer varied rates, impacting overall financial stability. Designers at enterprises may find the trade-off between lower hourly pay for benefits and higher rates without health insurance worth considering. Additionally, negotiating strategies will vary based on employer type, with those in St. Joseph advised to clearly articulate their value proposition and leverage local market insights to secure improved hourly pay.
More salary data for St. Joseph, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for ux designers in St. Joseph in 2026?
How much do part-time ux designers make in St. Joseph?
Are ux designers in St. Joseph paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time ux designer make per year in St. Joseph?
Do ux designers earn more per hour working part-time in St. Joseph?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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. Joseph. 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. Joseph 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