UX Designer Hourly Pay in Middleton, WI: $25.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Middleton, WI runs $25.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,961 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Middleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,381 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Middleton, Wisconsin, the projected median hourly pay for a UX designer is $25.95, which significantly lags behind the national median of $40.06. This disparity means that part-time professionals, working around three days a week, might earn a base salary that reflects this lower hourly rate, impacting financial security. Especially in the vibrant design environments typical to tech companies and creative agencies, entry-level UX designers could start at approximately $15.05 per hour, while seasoned professionals might command up to $40.21 per hour. With roles often found in design studios, collaborative hybrid setups, or even freelance/work-from-home contexts, the hourly pay provides insight into the overall compensation landscape for designers seeking balance between work hours and flexibility.
About the Middleton Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($90,700) adjusted for local cost of living.
UX Designer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.05 | $120.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.00 | $152.03 |
| Median (P50) | $25.95 | $207.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $33.21 | $265.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.21 | $321.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middleton
Based on $25.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.95/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $53,969 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,136. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Middleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,037.86 | $4,497 | $53,969 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $622.72 | $2,698 | $32,381 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $415.15 | $1,799 | $21,588 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Middleton) | $25.95 |
| 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 Middleton, WI earn a median of $53,961 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.24% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 7.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $58,336.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.95/hr = $32,381/year (purchasing power: $34,670).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,969/year (purchasing power: $57,783).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$18.66/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.95/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Middleton (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $18.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Middleton grew 30.2% from $18.66/hr (2021) to $24.29/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.72/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 Middleton 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 Middleton
When considering the earning potential of a UX designer in Middleton, part-time commitments and per-diem work arrangements can lead to distinct financial benefits and challenges. Working 24 hours a week at the median pay would yield just under $31,000 annually, which is quite favorable compared to a full-time commitment. However, for contractors or agency designers, billing rates can reveal an entirely different spectrum: common per diem rates range from $75 to $150 per hour, while senior consultants might demand rates of $200 to $400. Hourly rates can substantially differ based on employer type, from tech giants and design firms to startups, with the trade-off between higher hourly pay without benefits versus a lower salary with health coverage presenting a dilemma for some workers. For those seeking to negotiate their pay in Middleton, it's advisable to research industry standards and recognize their value in specialized areas, particularly as demand shifts post-layoffs in the tech sector.
More salary data for Middleton, WI:
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 Middleton. 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 Middleton 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