UX Designer Hourly Pay in Waco, TX: $33.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Waco, TX runs $33.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,148 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Waco's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,500 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Waco, Texas, the projected median hourly pay for UX designers stands at $33.25, notably lower than the national median of $40.06. This disparity indicates a compensatory gap within the city for professionals in the field. Part-time opportunities are viable in various settings, including tech companies and creative agencies, where designers might work three days a week, translating to a comfortable $1,056 per week for 24 hours. The hourly pay for UX designers in Waco ranges from $17.25 at the entry-level to $52.87 for top earners. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data suggests a steady interest in these roles, particularly as companies evolve their product design strategies amid changing market conditions, and this hourly rate reflects a growing field despite the economic variations in tech.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.25 | $138.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.78 | $206.21 |
| Median (P50) | $33.25 | $266.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.91 | $319.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.87 | $422.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waco
Based on $33.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.25/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waco, TX can expect to earn approximately $69,166 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,904. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,330.12 | $5,764 | $69,166 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $798.07 | $3,458 | $41,500 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $532.05 | $2,306 | $27,667 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Waco) | $33.25 |
| 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 Waco, TX earn a median of $69,148 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.01% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.70% below the Texas state average of $73,327.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.25/hr = $41,500/year (purchasing power: $44,840).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,166/year (purchasing power: $74,734).
CoL index: 92.55 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$23.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.13/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.25/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Waco (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.11/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.13/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Waco grew 30.2% from $23.91/hr (2021) to $31.13/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.52/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 Waco 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 Waco
Looking at the broader context of UX designer earnings in Waco, working part-time would yield approximately $54,978 annually for a designer on a 3-day schedule. In contrast, many per-diem UX designers often charge significantly more—ranging from $75 to $150 per hour—reflecting their specialized skills and project-based work. Agencies and consultancies frequently engage talented freelancers, and seasoned professionals can command higher rates in the contracting landscape, often earning up to $400 per hour as senior design consultants or UX research specialists. Different employer types also influence the hourly rate; tech giants and digital product companies tend to offer better remuneration compared to non-tech organizations and in-house teams. Designers must weigh benefits against hourly rates when considering positions, as some may take lower pay for job security and healthcare benefits. For those negotiating their hourly rates in Waco's unique market, focusing on skill set interdependencies and portfolio strength can provide leverage for better compensation.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
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 Waco. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 3-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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