UX Designer Hourly Pay in Wauwatosa, WI: $26.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a ux designer working in Wauwatosa, WI runs $26.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,331 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Weighted against Wauwatosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,195 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer hourly pay in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin is projected to be $26.60, significantly lower than the national median hourly rate of $40.06. This discrepancy reflects not only the cost of living in the region, which sits at 93.4 on the national scale, but also the concentration of design-focused companies and roles available locally. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this rate translates to a more stable income, allowing them to comfortably balance their work with other commitments. Freelance and per-diem ux designers may earn hourly rates that vary widely depending on their experience and the complexity of projects, ranging from $15.42 for entry-level positions up to $41.23 for seasoned professionals. As estimated, these rates stem from annual salary data and underline both the potential and limitations of the local job market.
About the Wauwatosa 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) | $15.42 | $123.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.15 | $153.22 |
| Median (P50) | $26.60 | $212.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.05 | $272.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.23 | $329.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wauwatosa
Based on $26.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.60/hr, a ux designer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wauwatosa, WI can expect to earn approximately $55,324 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,918. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wauwatosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wauwatosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,063.93 | $4,610 | $55,324 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $638.36 | $2,766 | $33,195 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $425.57 | $1,844 | $22,130 |
Compare UX Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| UX Designer (Wauwatosa) | $26.60 |
| 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 Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $55,331 per year (2026 est.), which is 33.59% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $58,366.
UX Designer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.60/hr = $33,195/year (purchasing power: $35,540).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,324/year (purchasing power: $59,234).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$19.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.60/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for UX Designers in Wauwatosa (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $19.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for ux designers in Wauwatosa grew 30.2% from $19.13/hr (2021) to $24.90/hr (2025). At a 6.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.41/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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa
Beyond the standard hourly rates, part-time ux designers in Wauwatosa take home significantly less than their full-time counterparts, creating a reality where many prefer per-diem roles that can yield higher returns. Contract or agency-based ux positions provide flexibility, often allowing designers to charge hourly rates of $75 to $150, while experienced product designers can command as much as $125 to $250 per hour. Senior consultants at boutique firms may earn anywhere from $200 to $400 an hour, reflecting the wide disparity in earnings across different employer types in Wauwatosa, including tech giants and local startups. While some designers accept lower pay for benefits such as health insurance, higher hourly pay comes at the risk of losing these significant support systems. Negotiating base pay effectively requires a clear understanding of one's value proposition and staying competitive within the evolving design landscape in Wauwatosa, especially in the wake of recent layoffs impacting the industry.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for ux designers in Wauwatosa in 2026?
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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 Wauwatosa. 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 Wauwatosa 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