UX Designer Hourly Pay in Matthews, NC: $30.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Matthews, NC runs $30.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,776 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Matthews's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,260 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Matthews, North Carolina, the hourly pay for UX designers is projected to be $30.66 in 2026, significantly lower than the national average of $40.06 per hour. This disparity highlights the local market dynamics, particularly for part-time professionals who often work in creative environments such as design studios or flexible remote settings that utilize tools like Figma for collaboration. For part-time employees putting in about three days a week, this hourly rate translates to a consistent income without the need for full-time commitments. Entry-level designers can expect hourly earnings starting at approximately $17.79, while seasoned professionals might see rates reach $47.52, offering some room for advancement and negotiation in a field that increasingly values experience and specialized skills.
About the Matthews 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) | $17.79 | $142.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.08 | $176.64 |
| Median (P50) | $30.66 | $245.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.25 | $313.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.52 | $380.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Matthews
Based on $30.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.66/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Matthews, NC can expect to earn approximately $63,767 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,789. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Matthews.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Matthews
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,226.29 | $5,314 | $63,767 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $735.78 | $3,188 | $38,260 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.52 | $2,126 | $25,507 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Matthews) | $30.66 |
| 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 Matthews, NC earn a median of $63,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.46% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $64,485.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.66/hr = $38,260/year (purchasing power: $40,876).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,767/year (purchasing power: $68,127).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$22.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.66/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Matthews (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Matthews grew 30.2% from $22.05/hr (2021) to $28.70/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.75/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 Matthews 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 Matthews
When examining pay structures further, part-time UX designers working in Matthews can anticipate annual take-home pay significantly lower than their full-time counterparts, based on a reduced work schedule, yet they often benefit from the flexibility that suits their lifestyle. Contract or per-diem roles present a differing picture, with pay that frequently ranges from $75 to $150 per hour for general UX design tasks. More seasoned designers specializing in product design may command even higher rates, from $125 to $250 per hour, depending on the project complexity and employer type. The competitive nuances vary across the local market, with tech giants potentially offering more substantial packages inclusive of benefits, contrasting sharply with the pay-for-project approach taken by boutique consulting firms. This leads many designers to weigh the pros and cons of steady employment against the lucrative nature of freelance work. For those negotiating their hourly pay, it's essential to articulate value based on specific skills, project success, and a strong portfolio, ensuring they align their requests with local trends and personal contributions in the evolving design ecosystem in Matthews.
More salary data for Matthews, 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 Matthews. 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 Matthews 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