UX Designer Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $24.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Charlottesville, VA runs $24.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,667 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,008 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, the projected median hourly rate for UX designers stands at $24.85, significantly lower than the national average of $40.06 per hour. This disparity indicates the local market's unique economic dynamics, likely influenced by cost of living and competition levels. For part-time workers, such as those pursuing opportunities three days a week, this rate can translate to about $1,192 gross weekly for a 24-hour work schedule. Per-diem work is also an option for some in this profession, particularly in design studios and creative environments that utilize tools like Figma for seamless digital collaboration. The hourly range in Charlottesville stretches from $15.96 for entry-level positions to up to $37.57 for top earners, reflecting the varied experience levels and employer types within the area.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.96 | $127.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.63 | $157.07 |
| Median (P50) | $24.85 | $198.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.39 | $251.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.57 | $300.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $24.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.85/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $51,680 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,816. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $993.85 | $4,307 | $51,680 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $596.31 | $2,584 | $31,008 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $397.54 | $1,723 | $20,672 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Charlottesville) | $24.85 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $51,667 per year (2026 est.), which is 37.99% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 19.90% below the Virginia state average of $64,503.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.85/hr = $31,008/year (purchasing power: $31,275).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,680/year (purchasing power: $52,126).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$30.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.85/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+-12.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Charlottesville (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $30.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $42.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.02/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Charlottesville grew -23.4% from $30.37/hr (2021) to $23.26/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.54/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Individuals considering part-time roles as UX designers in Charlottesville may find their annual earnings markedly different compared to full-time positions. For instance, a professional working 24 hours a week could realistically bring home around $62,304 annually, which presents a viable option for those balancing other commitments. On the higher end of the spectrum, per-diem designers can command rates between $75 and $150 per hour, with experienced freelancers and consultants fetching even more—up to $400 in some cases. The hourly pay landscape varies widely based on the employer; tech giants and digital product agencies tend to offer more competitive rates than in-house teams or small startups. Some designers may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, which can add another layer to their compensation strategy. For those negotiating in this market, it’s advisable to emphasize transferable skills and portfolio strength to maximize hourly compensation.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
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 Charlottesville. 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