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$80,000/yr
$30,000/yr$300,000/yr
40 hrs
10 hrs60 hrs
4 wks
0 wks12 wks
$180/mo
$0/mo$500/mo
5 hrs
0 hrs20 hrs
40 hrs
1 hrs200 hrs

Typical project work, moderate complexity.

Factor in AI tool subscriptions

Compare against market in:

Your Rate

$0/hr
77th percentile
p10p25medianp75p90
Above Market77th percentile

Day Rate

$450

Project Est.

$2,200

Retainer

$8,350/mo

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Community Data

What do you actually charge?

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Anonymous. Helps improve market benchmarks.

Pricing Guide

How much should you charge for UI/UX design?

From wireframes to full product design, know the rate your work supports with BLS-calibrated benchmarks.

UI/UX designers charge between $75 and $200 per hour. Project rates range from $5,000 for a simple app redesign to $50,000+ for enterprise product design. The BLS median for web and digital interface designers is $80,000/year, translating to $85-$175/hr as a freelancer.

Floor

$75

per hour

Typical

$120

per hour

Premium

$195

per hour

Methodology

How we calculated this

The rates on this page are derived from BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data for the closest matching occupation code, adjusted for freelance overhead using a transparent four-step formula.

  1. 01

    Floor calculation

    Your target income × 1.153 (SE tax) + annual software and tool costs, divided by billable hours. This is the minimum rate that covers your costs.

  2. 02

    Market benchmarking

    The base rate is positioned against BLS percentile data for your metro. You see exactly where you land — p10 through p90.

  3. 03

    Skill and complexity adjustments

    Multipliers of 0.85×–1.65× reflect your skill level and the complexity of the work. High-stakes, strategic work earns more.

  4. 04

    Regional cost adjustment

    BEA Regional Price Parities (RPP) adjust the final rate for local cost of living. San Francisco commands more; Austin less.

Price Drivers

What changes the price

  • Scope (wireframes only vs full UI delivery)
  • Number of screens/pages
  • User research included
  • Prototyping fidelity
  • Design system creation
  • Usability testing
  • Platform (web, iOS, Android, cross-platform)
  • Handoff documentation
Worked Examples

Real quote breakdowns

Mobile App UI Design

End-to-end UI design for an iOS fintech app. 35 screens, component library, interactive Figma prototype, developer handoff documentation.

$12,000

Breakdown

UX audit + flows (12 hrs), wireframes (16 hrs), visual design (30 hrs), component library (10 hrs), prototype + handoff (12 hrs) × $120/hr effective rate.

SaaS Dashboard Redesign

Full redesign of a B2B SaaS analytics dashboard. User interviews, information architecture, 60-screen design system, and usability testing with 5 participants.

$25,000

Breakdown

Research (20 hrs), IA + wireframes (30 hrs), visual design (60 hrs), design system (25 hrs), usability testing (15 hrs), revisions (30 hrs) × $138/hr effective rate.

Landing Page UX + Design

Conversion-focused landing page design for a SaaS product launch. UX strategy, wireframe, visual design in Figma, mobile-responsive specs.

$4,000

Breakdown

32 hrs × $125/hr. Includes one revision round and full developer handoff. Excludes copywriting.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Do UI and UX designers charge different rates?

Senior UX designers who conduct research, define information architecture, and run usability testing typically command 15-25% higher rates than pure UI designers. However, most mid-career designers do both — the distinction matters more in enterprise settings than in freelance engagements where clients want end-to-end design ownership.

How do design systems affect project pricing?

A design system is a separate, significant deliverable. Building a comprehensive component library (typography, color, spacing, 40+ components, documentation) typically adds $5,000-$15,000 to a project. Be explicit about whether you are designing screens only or building a reusable system. The two are very different scopes.

Which prototyping tools command a premium?

Figma is the industry standard and does not carry a premium. Advanced prototyping in Framer or ProtoPie (complex micro-interactions, data-driven prototypes, production-quality animations) justifies a rate premium of 15-20% because fewer designers have these skills.

Should user research be priced separately from UI design?

Yes. User interviews, usability tests, card sorting, and synthesis are time-intensive and require different skills than visual design. Price research as a separate phase with its own deliverables (interview screener, discussion guide, synthesis report, insight deck). Bundling it hides the value and makes it the first thing clients cut.

How is AI changing UI/UX design pricing?

AI accelerates wireframing and asset generation. It does not replace user research, strategic information architecture, or the judgment required to simplify complex systems. Designers using AI tools can bid more competitively on execution-heavy work. The premium continues to shift toward research, strategy, and systems thinking.

Related

Related professions

Key Takeaways

The short version

  • Floor rate: $75/hr. Typical: $120/hr. Premium: $195/hr.
  • UI/UX designers charge between $75 and $200 per hour.
  • The biggest rate drivers: Scope (wireframes only vs full UI delivery), Number of screens/pages, User research included.
  • Rates are based on BLS OEWS May 2024 data, adjusted for freelance overhead, skill level, complexity, and regional cost of living.