UX Designer Salary in Owatonna, MN: $61,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Owatonna, MN earns a median $61,103/year (≈ $29.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Owatonna's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $62,034 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Owatonna, Minnesota, the projected median annual salary for a UX designer is $61,103 for the year 2026, marking a significant gap compared to the national median of $83,320. The local salary range extends from $35,440 at the 10th percentile to $94,710 at the 90th percentile, indicating varying pay scales based on factors like experience and employer type. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price parities, providing insights into the local market. In Owatonna, the choice of employment can greatly influence pay, as positions at FAANG companies tend to offer higher compensation than roles at digital agencies or in-house teams, impacting the overall job climate for UX designers in the area.
About the Owatonna Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,440 | $17.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,994 | $21.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,103 | $29.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,213 | $37.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,710 | $45.54 |
Median Salary Position
26.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Owatonna
In Owatonna, MN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,270 (2026 est.). At $61,103, the local median is 26.66% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Owatonna: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Owatonna UX Designer Pay Compares
Owatonna median: $61,103/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Owatonna Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,534 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | -26.66% less |
UX Designers in Owatonna, MN earn a median of $61,103 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.66% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $61,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Owatonna has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Owatonna, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $61,103 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,034 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$43,941
2025 BLS Actual
$57,202
2026 Current Est.
$61,103
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Owatonna (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $43,941 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,784 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,199 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,741 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,202 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,270 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Owatonna metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $43,941 (2021) to $57,202 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,329 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Owatonna 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $35,440 – $43,994 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,994 – $61,103 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,103 – $78,213 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,213 – $94,710 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Owatonna
Looking at the overall job market, Owatonna employs six UX designers, reflecting a relatively small but specialized community. The cost of living index of 98.5 suggests that Owatonna is slightly below the national average, which can enhance the purchasing power of local salaries compared to larger metropolitan areas. Employers in Owatonna that tend to pay the most are typically non-tech companies with in-house design teams, while larger tech firms like those mentioned typically dominate salary metrics in competitive regions. The disparity between high and low salaries can be influenced by a designer’s portfolio strength, specialization in areas like research as opposed to product design, and the potential for advancement into management roles. To maximize pay in this environment, it’s advisable for designers to build a strong portfolio showcasing impactful projects, stay current with design trends, and possibly seek remote opportunities with higher-paying companies while living in Owatonna.
More salary data for Owatonna, MN:
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,202 for ux designersin the Owatonna metropolitan area. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Owatonna 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