UX Designer Hourly Pay in Portsmouth, VA: $30.01 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Portsmouth, VA runs $30.01 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,402 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Portsmouth's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,447 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Portsmouth, Virginia, the projected hourly pay for UX designers stands at $30.01, which is notably lower than the national median of $40.06 per hour. This hourly rate can be a crucial consideration for those contemplating part-time roles, such as working three days a week, where a designer dedicating 24 hours might find their earnings significantly different from full-time counterparts. The hourly range reflects the diversity within the field: for entry-level positions, rates start around $17.40, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $46.50 per hour. Environments for UX designers in Portsmouth typically revolve around tech company design studios, agency creative hubs, hybrid workflow in platforms such as Figma, and even freelance settings ranging from coworking spaces to home offices, shaping how designers negotiate their pay based on their work settings.
About the Portsmouth Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($68,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.40 | $139.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.60 | $172.79 |
| Median (P50) | $30.01 | $240.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.40 | $307.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.50 | $371.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portsmouth
Based on $30.01/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.01/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portsmouth, VA can expect to earn approximately $62,412 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,007. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portsmouth.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portsmouth
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,200.23 | $5,201 | $62,412 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $720.14 | $3,121 | $37,447 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $480.09 | $2,080 | $24,965 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Portsmouth) | $30.01 |
| 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 Portsmouth, VA earn a median of $62,402 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.11% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 3.20% below the Virginia state average of $64,465.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.01/hr = $37,447/year (purchasing power: $36,286).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,412/year (purchasing power: $60,477).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$21.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.01/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Portsmouth (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $21.58/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.69/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.01/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.05/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Portsmouth grew 30.2% from $21.58/hr (2021) to $28.09/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.05/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 Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth
Exploring the financial aspects of working part-time, a UX designer in Portsmouth, taking on a 3-day workweek, could expect to see an annual income less than that of their full-time peers, putting more emphasis on how each hour worked can translate into their overall financial picture. Per-diem roles offer even broader potential for earnings, with rates for contract designers often ranging from $75 to $150 per hour, and top-tier positions such as senior consultants drawing significantly more—as high as $400 per hour. The pay disparity across employer types is pronounced, with FAANG companies generally offering competitive compensation compared to smaller design consulting firms or startups. This trade-off often leads designers to choose between attractive hourly rates without benefits versus stable employment that includes health coverage. For those negotiating rates in Portsmouth, understanding the local market and emphasizing skill proficiency in tools like Figma can play a pivotal role in achieving fair compensation.
More salary data for Portsmouth, 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 Portsmouth. 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 Portsmouth 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