UX Designer Salary in North Dakota: $119,904 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $119,904/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $130,330 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($116,329), Grand Forks ($113,135), Bismarck ($110,889).
In 2026, UX designers in North Dakota are expected to earn an average median salary of $119,903, significantly higher than the national median of $83,320, representing a 43.9% increase. Fargo leads the state with a projected salary of $124,263, while Mandan has the lowest at $112,316, creating a salary gap of $11,947 between these cities. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of tech firms and project opportunities in Fargo compared to Mandan, which has a smaller economy and fewer digital product initiatives. The job market for UX designers in North Dakota appears strong, with a projected annual compound growth rate of 6.82%. Employment opportunities are expected to remain robust as more businesses recognize the importance of user experience in digital services and products. State-specific factors impacting salaries include the absence of stringent licensing requirements for UX designers, although knowledge of local industry standards is essential. Top cities for salaries include Grand Forks at $120,851, Bismarck at $118,452, West Fargo at $118,101, and Minot at $118,018, highlighting a consistent demand for skilled UX professionals across the state. Overall, North Dakota offers a promising landscape for UX designers in 2026.
North Dakota UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $65,876 (lowest entry-level) to $192,607 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota ux designers earn 43.91% more than the national median (+$36,584/year difference).
North Dakota UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in North Dakota range from $69,590 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $185,851 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $119,904. The North Dakota median is $36,584 above the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $57.65/hr. Approximately 95 ux designers are employed across 8 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$62,770
2025 BLS Actual
$112,248
2026 Current Est.
$119,904
2021–2027 Growth
+104.0%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in North Dakota (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $62,770 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,500 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,305 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,248 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $119,904 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $128,081 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 78.8% from $62,770 (2021) to $112,248 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $128,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $65,311 (104.05%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $112,316 |
| Williston | $114,669 |
| Dickinson | $117,504 |
| Minot | $118,018 |
| West Fargo | $118,101 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $124,263 | 92 | $135,068 |
| Grand Forks | $120,851 | 92 | $131,360 |
| Bismarck | $118,452 | 92 | $128,752 |
| West Fargo | $118,101 | 92 | $128,371 |
| Minot | $118,018 | 92 | $128,280 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $69,590 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $119,904 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $185,851 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $124,263 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $120,851 |
| 3 | Bismarck | $118,452 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $118,101 |
| 5 | Minot | $118,018 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $117,504 |
| 7 | Williston | $114,669 |
| 8 | Mandan | $112,316 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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