UX Designer Hourly Pay in Roanoke, VA: $30.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Roanoke, VA runs $30.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,938 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Roanoke's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.2, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,367 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Roanoke, Virginia, the expected hourly pay for UX designers in 2026 is projected to be $30.74, significantly trailing the national hourly median of $40.06. This discrepancy in UX designer hourly pay in Roanoke underscores the financial realities facing local professionals in terms of compensation for part-time opportunities. For those seeking a flexible schedule, working three days a week totaling around 24 hours can yield approximately $39,689 annually, which is considerably lower than the earnings of full-time positions. The hourly range spans from $17.83 for entry-level roles to $47.64 for high-performing designers, reflecting the varying levels of experience and expertise found in the local market. Designers often find themselves in collaborative settings such as tech company design studios or agency floors, where the environments encourage creativity and innovation.
About the Roanoke 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) | $17.83 | $142.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.13 | $177.06 |
| Median (P50) | $30.74 | $245.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.34 | $314.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.64 | $381.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Roanoke
Based on $30.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.74/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Roanoke, VA can expect to earn approximately $63,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,891. With a cost-of-living index of 103.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Roanoke.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Roanoke
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,229.71 | $5,329 | $63,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $737.83 | $3,197 | $38,367 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $491.88 | $2,132 | $25,578 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Roanoke) | $30.74 |
| 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 Roanoke, VA earn a median of $63,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.26% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.90% below the Virginia state average of $64,519.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.74/hr = $38,367/year (purchasing power: $37,177).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,945/year (purchasing power: $61,962).
CoL index: 103.2 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$27.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.74/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+18.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Roanoke (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $27.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Roanoke grew 4.2% from $27.62/hr (2021) to $28.78/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.84/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 Roanoke 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 Roanoke
A part-time or per-diem UX designer in Roanoke may find their income fluctuating based on the nature of their work. While local hourly rates may be lower, per-diem contracts can command significantly higher pay, with rates typically ranging from $75 to $150 per hour. Established professionals with focused skills can bill upwards of $125 to $250 per hour at boutique agencies or in specialized consulting roles. Employers in Roanoke include major tech firms and digital product agencies, each offering different compensation packages. Freelancers face the challenge of balancing hourly rates with benefits; lower pay can sometimes come with health insurance and other perks, whereas higher freelance pay might mean accepting a lack of those benefits. Negotiating rates effectively is crucial in this landscape, where knowing local market rates can lead to more advantageous contracts for UX designers navigating their career choices in Roanoke.
More salary data for Roanoke, 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 Roanoke. 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 Roanoke 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