UX Designer Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $30.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Burlington, NC runs $30.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,211 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,927 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the projected hourly pay for UX designers in 2026 stands at $30.39, which is significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $40.06. For part-time professionals, such as those working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a stable yet modest income, making it a viable option for freelancers and contract workers who prefer flexibility in their schedules. With the hourly range stretching from $17.63 for entry-level positions to $47.11 for the most experienced UX designers, individuals in Burlington can find varying opportunities across tech company design studios, agency settings, and remote collaboration environments using tools like Figma. The variability of this pay scale reflects not just the positions available but also the nature of freelance work in the area, where hourly estimates are derived from annual salary data balanced against the cost of living index, which sits below the national average.
About the Burlington Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($99,200) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.63 | $141.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.88 | $175.01 |
| Median (P50) | $30.39 | $243.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.90 | $311.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.11 | $376.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $30.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.39/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $63,212 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,468. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,215.61 | $5,268 | $63,212 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.37 | $3,161 | $37,927 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.24 | $2,107 | $25,285 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Burlington) | $30.39 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $63,211 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.13% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 2.00% below the North Carolina state average of $64,501.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.39/hr = $37,927/year (purchasing power: $40,520).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,212/year (purchasing power: $67,534).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$27.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.45/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.39/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Burlington (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.45/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Burlington grew 5.3% from $27.01/hr (2021) to $28.45/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.46/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Considering part-time work, a UX designer putting in 24 hours weekly might earn around $37,694 annually, showcasing the potential for a steady income without the commitment of full-time employment. For those operating on a per-diem basis in Burlington, the landscape is quite lucrative; freelance contracts can command rates from $75 to $150 an hour, while seasoned UX professionals with specialized skills may charge from $125 to $250 per hour. Positions within established tech companies and consulting firms can also bring higher hourly rates, with senior roles often exceeding $200. Notably, the trade-off between hourly rates and benefits can influence choices for many designers; while some may opt for higher-paying freelance roles lacking health insurance, others find value in steadier, lower-paying jobs that provide comprehensive benefits. When negotiating in this environment, it's advantageous for hourly workers to highlight their unique skill sets, especially in high-demand areas like UX research and design systems, thereby justifying their pay requests and emphasizing their value in a competitive market like Burlington.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
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 Burlington. 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 Burlington 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