Entry-Level UX Designer Salary in Minot, ND: $68,450 (2026)
Quick Answer:New ux designers entering the Minot, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $68,450 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 15-1255, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minot's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $74,402 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($118,018) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the UX design field in Minot, North Dakota, the entry-level salary landscape in 2026 presents some promising figures. Starting positions are projected to offer a salary of around $68,450, which is noticeably lower compared to the city median of $118,018. However, new designers shouldn't be discouraged, as there is potential for significant salary growth over the first few years. With experience, entry-level designers can expect to progress towards the 25th percentile salary of $84,973 and ultimately reach the median within 3 to 5 years. Considering the 6.82% annual growth rate in the region, Minot currently represents a favorable market for emerging designers looking to establish themselves in the UX field.
About the Minot Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($111,450) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minot
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minot
Entry-level ux designers in Minot, ND typically start between $68,450 and $84,973 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $114,478 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $118,018 — 41.64% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average user experience design program cost in North Dakota of $48,000 represents just 70.12% of the starting ux designer pay ($68,450/year) in Minot. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect NASAD-accredited bachelor's programs in graphic design, interaction design, or human-computer interaction. Shorter UX bootcamps ($10k-$20k) are a common alternative entry pathway. SOC 15-1255 (Web and Digital Interface Designers) is the dedicated UX/UI code BLS introduced in 2018 — distinct from 27-1024 (Graphic Designers, $61,300 median) and 15-1254 (Web Developers).
UX Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Minot
- 1Research the Minot market: entry-level ux designer pay ranges from $68,450 to $84,973, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the user experience design field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Minot, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Minot for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minot's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
UX Designer Compensation Range
The ux designer wage spread in Minot is $114,478 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $68,450, experienced hygienists can earn up to $182,928.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2021 BLS Actual
$45,959
2025 BLS Actual
$64,080
2026 Current Est.
$68,450
2021–2027 Growth
+59.1%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Minot (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $45,959 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,383 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,450 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,119 | Projected |
Entry-level ux designer compensation (10th percentile) in Minot, ND grew 39.4% over 5 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $45,959 in 2021 to $64,080 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $73,119. New graduates entering the Minot job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minot 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.
Starting Your user experience design Career in Minot
While large tech companies like FAANG typically recruit from top design programs, there are opportunities in Minot for newcomers to the industry through various local employers. Digital agencies and in-house product teams within non-tech sectors also offer positions suitable for early-career designers. To enhance their appeal to employers, new graduates should focus on building a strong portfolio, as this holds more weight than the degree itself, although having a Bachelor's in design or a related field is advantageous. Fluency in industry-standard tools like Figma is crucial, especially in a job market that leans towards specialties like design systems and research. As many designers faced layoffs in the recent market corrections, those entering the field now will find opportunities that prioritize versatility and project diversity, leading to a realistic expectation of salary increases within the first few years of their careers.
More salary data for Minot, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for ux designers in Minot in 2026?
How fast do ux designer salaries grow in Minot?
Is user experience design school worth it in Minot?
What do new ux designers make right out of school in Minot?
How do I become a ux designer in North Dakota?
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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
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new user experience design graduates. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Minot. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Minot 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