UX Designer Hourly Pay in Kent, WA: $36.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Kent, WA runs $36.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,120 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Kent's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,073 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kent, Washington, the hourly pay for a UX designer is projected to be $36.12 in 2026, which places it below the national median of $40.06 per hour. This rate is crucial for those considering part-time roles, as working three days a week could offer a flexible income stream without the full-time commitment. The range of hourly pay spans from $20.95 for entry-level positions to $55.97 for top earners, making it a viable option for workers in various settings such as tech company design studios, agency environments, and remote collaborative spaces using tools like Figma. This hourly model reflects the general trend in the industry where designers may prefer roles that allow for a balanced workload, particularly in a market still recovering from the layoffs of recent years.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($139,100) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.95 | $167.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.00 | $208.00 |
| Median (P50) | $36.12 | $288.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.23 | $369.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.97 | $447.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kent
Based on $36.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.12/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kent, WA can expect to earn approximately $75,121 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,339. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kent.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kent
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,444.63 | $6,260 | $75,121 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $866.78 | $3,756 | $45,073 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $577.85 | $2,504 | $30,048 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Kent) | $36.12 |
| 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 Kent, WA earn a median of $75,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.84% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $75,271.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.12/hr = $45,073/year (purchasing power: $41,967).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,121/year (purchasing power: $69,945).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2021 BLS Actual
$25.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.12/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Kent (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $25.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $71.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Kent grew 30.2% from $25.97/hr (2021) to $33.81/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.58/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 Kent 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 Kent
When considering part-time earnings, a UX designer in Kent working a typical schedule of 24 hours per week would take home around $44,940 annually, which emphasizes the appeal of more versatile work arrangements without sacrificing a steady income. Many per-diem UX designers in the area can command significantly higher rates, with billing ranging from $75 to $150 per hour, reflecting their expertise and project-based nature of the work. Specialized roles such as senior design consultants or UX research specialists can see billing rates soar to between $200 and $400 per hour, showcasing the premium placed on experienced professionals. The variance in hourly rates is influenced by employer types; traditional tech companies like Microsoft and Adobe tend to offer more competitive pay compared to boutique design firms. Some UX designers might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, while others pursue higher rates that do not include such coverage. Effective negotiation, understanding market demand, and being clear about expectations can significantly influence earning potential for hourly workers in Kent.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Kent. 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 Kent 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