UX Designer Hourly Pay in Columbus, NE: $25.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Columbus, NE runs $25.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,393 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,035 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbus, Nebraska, the projected median hourly rate for a UX designer in 2026 is $25.67, which is significantly lower than the national median of $40.06. For part-time UX designers working three days a week, this translates into a weekly income that may not fully reflect the lucrative potential found in larger metropolitan areas. Designers in this role are typically situated in environments such as tech studios, digital agencies, and remote collaborations using popular tools like Figma. The hourly rates in Columbus range from $15.02 for entry-level positions to approximately $39.79 for top earners. These figures are based on annual salary data but provide a meaningful snapshot of the financial landscape for UX designers in NE.
About the Columbus Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($72,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.02 | $120.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.12 | $152.97 |
| Median (P50) | $25.67 | $205.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.86 | $262.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.79 | $318.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $25.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.67/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, NE can expect to earn approximately $53,391 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,803. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,026.75 | $4,449 | $53,391 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $616.05 | $2,670 | $32,035 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $410.70 | $1,780 | $21,356 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Columbus) | $25.67 |
| 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 Columbus, NE earn a median of $53,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.92% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 6.60% below the Nebraska state average of $57,166.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.67/hr = $32,035/year (purchasing power: $35,011).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,391/year (purchasing power: $58,351).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.67/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Columbus (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Columbus grew 30.2% from $18.46/hr (2021) to $24.03/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.42/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
When considering part-time work in Columbus, a UX designer working 24 hours per week would bring home around $28, 181 annually if earning the median rate, a fraction of what full-time counterparts typically see. In the per-diem or freelance market, those specializing in UX design often command higher hourly rates, ranging from $75 to $150, depending on their level of expertise and the nature of their contracts. The variation in hourly pay is pronounced across different sectors. For instance, designers employed by large tech firms might receive more competitive offers compared to those working at smaller startups or agencies. However, it’s essential to weigh the trade-off between higher hourly rates and benefits like health insurance that some full-time roles provide. Negotiating rates by emphasizing experience and skill set can lead to better compensation, especially for those wishing to break into the upper tiers of the salary range in Columbus.
More salary data for Columbus, NE:
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 Columbus. 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 Columbus 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