UX Designer Hourly Pay in Wayne, NJ: $33.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Wayne, NJ runs $33.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,491 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,300 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wayne, NJ, the typical hourly compensation for a UX designer stands at $33.89, which trails the national median of $40.06. This rate is especially valuable for those seeking part-time or per-diem work in varied environments such as tech company design studios or remote Figma collaborations. For part-time designers working three days a week, this translates to an attractive balance of income without the commitment of a full-time schedule. Entry-level positions start closer to $19.65, while top earners can see their hourly pay peak at $52.53. As a significant number of UX designers in Wayne work through diverse channels—ranging from agency settings to freelance gigs—they benefit from a versatile pay range, reflective of their skills and the demands of their particular role within the design ecosystem.
About the Wayne Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($96,900) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.65 | $157.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.40 | $195.18 |
| Median (P50) | $33.89 | $271.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.38 | $347.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.53 | $420.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wayne
Based on $33.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.89/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wayne, NJ can expect to earn approximately $70,499 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,673. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,355.76 | $5,875 | $70,499 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $813.46 | $3,525 | $42,300 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $542.30 | $2,350 | $28,200 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Wayne) | $33.89 |
| 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 Wayne, NJ earn a median of $70,491 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.40% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.10% below the New Jersey state average of $72,003.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.89/hr = $42,300/year (purchasing power: $36,718).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,499/year (purchasing power: $61,197).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$24.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.89/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Wayne (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $52.55/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Wayne grew 30.2% from $24.37/hr (2021) to $31.73/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.21/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 Wayne 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 Wayne
Looking closer at the earning potential in different work arrangements, a part-time UX designer working 24 hours per week would earn significantly less than full-time counterparts on an annual basis, leaving some preferring per-diem or agency positions which can command rates from $75 to $250 per hour. Those with experience may even charge between $150 and $300 as independent consultants, capitalizing on the growing demand across various industries. Employers vary widely—from FAANG giants to boutique design firms—with each offering distinct pay scales along with trade-offs regarding benefits. Some UX designers opt for lower hourly rates in exchange for employee benefits, while others venture into freelance roles for potentially higher hourly pay at the expense of job security. In Wayne, UX professionals should practice strategic negotiation to ensure their hourly rates appropriately reflect their skills, experience, and the specific demands of their role.
More salary data for Wayne, NJ:
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 Wayne. 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 Wayne 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