UX Designer Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $41.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $41.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $85,979 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $40.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $51,591 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the ux designer hourly pay in Salt Lake City, UT, is expected to be around $41.34, slightly above the national median hourly rate of $40.06. This competitive rate caters to a diverse workforce, from part-time positions to freelancers, making it attractive for those pursuing flexible schedules in design studios, agency settings, or remote environments using Figma. With entry-level designers starting at approximately $24.15 and experienced professionals earning up to $61.47 an hour, the hourly range reflects both the growing demand for user experience talent and the multifaceted nature of the role itself. This analysis is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which highlights Salt Lake City's appeal for aspiring designers.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.15 | $193.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.71 | $253.72 |
| Median (P50) | $41.34 | $330.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.39 | $411.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.47 | $491.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $41.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.34/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $85,986 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $49,607. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,653.57 | $7,165 | $85,986 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $992.14 | $4,299 | $51,591 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $661.43 | $2,866 | $34,394 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Salt Lake City) | $41.34 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $85,979 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.19% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 15.60% above the Utah state average of $74,377.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.34/hr = $51,591/year (purchasing power: $51,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $85,986/year (purchasing power: $85,246).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$38.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.70/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.34/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Salt Lake City (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $38.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $50.10/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $49.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.70/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Salt Lake City grew 0.7% from $38.42/hr (2021) to $38.70/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $44.16/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Examining the earning potential for part-time ux designers reveals interesting financial dynamics. A designer working three days a week, totaling about 24 hours, could realize an annual take-home that starkly contrasts with those in full-time roles. For those working under contract or as per-diem UX designers, rates can soar well beyond the median, with typical billings between $75 and $150 per hour for general work, and seasoned designers commanding $125 to $250 for specialized consultancy. Factors such as employer type significantly influence hourly compensation. While large tech companies like Microsoft and Adobe offer robust benefits with their salaries, boutique agencies may present lower hourly rates but offer diverse project experiences. For negotiation, understanding the balance between salary and benefits is crucial, as some designers may prefer stability and health insurance over a higher if unstable rate. As the employment landscape shifts, those factoring in the residential cost of living and individual career goals can strategically optimize their earning potential in Salt Lake City's dynamic design market.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 Salt Lake City. 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, 5-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