UX Designer Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $65,479 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $65,479/year (≈ $31.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $62,467 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected UX designer salary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, is estimated at $65,479, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $83,320. The salary range for UX designers in the area spans from $41,403 at the 10th percentile to as high as $112,417 at the 90th percentile, demonstrating significant variability based on experience and expertise. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and highlights a local market that, despite facing layoffs in the design sector post-2023, appears to be adapting and absorbing these changes. As Minneapolis continues to grow as a hub for both tech and design, professionals in the field can expect a robust job environment characterized by a mixture of large tech companies and creative agencies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,403 | $19.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,155 | $25.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,479 | $31.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,817 | $43.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,417 | $54.05 |
Median Salary Position
21.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,014 (2026 est.). At $65,479, the local median is 21.41% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Minneapolis UX Designer Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $65,479/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,540 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -21.41% less |
UX Designers in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $65,479 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.41% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 6.40% above the Minnesota state average of $61,540.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,479 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,467 — a 4.6% reduction.
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2021 BLS Actual
$77,450
2025 BLS Actual
$61,298
2026 Current Est.
$65,479
2021–2027 Growth
+-9.7%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Minneapolis (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $77,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $81,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $82,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,298 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,479 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,944 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew -20.9% from $77,450 (2021) to $61,298 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,944 by 2027 — a total increase of $-7,506 (-9.69%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $41,403 – $52,155 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,155 – $65,479 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,479 – $89,817 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,817 – $112,417 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Minneapolis
With around 970 UX designers currently employed in Minneapolis, the local job market shows a healthy demand for design talent, even among the complexities of transitioning roles and skill sets due to recent industry shifts. The cost of living in Minneapolis is slightly above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 104.822, which influences take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation are typically larger tech firms, including giants like Microsoft and Salesforce, alongside top-tier design agencies such as IDEO and R/GA. Variations in pay can be attributed to factors including the type of employer, specialty areas such as research versus product design, and the strength of individual portfolios. For designers looking to maximize their ux designer pay in Minneapolis MN, pursuing roles with established companies, continuing to refine expertise in in-demand areas like design systems, and building a strong portfolio showcasing impactful projects can significantly enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Minneapolis, 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 $61,298 for ux designersin the Minneapolis 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
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