UX Designer Salary in St. Paul, MN: $64,822 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in St. Paul, MN earns a median $64,822/year (≈ $31.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in St. Paul's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $65,809 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% above the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the ux designer salary in St. Paul is projected to be $64,822, which reflects the city's ability to absorb challenges in a post-2023 job market where many designers faced layoffs. The full salary range shows entry-level positions starting at $37,596, while experienced designers can earn up to $100,474. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and account for regional price parities specific to St. Paul, MN. This salary landscape positions St. Paul about 22.20% below the national average of $83,320, indicating a significant variance that could impact local talent attraction and retention in the tech sector.
About the St. Paul Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($92,800) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,596 | $18.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,672 | $22.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,822 | $31.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,971 | $39.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,474 | $48.30 |
Median Salary Position
22.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Paul
In St. Paul, MN, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,878 (2026 est.). At $64,822, the local median is 22.2% below the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in St. Paul: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How St. Paul UX Designer Pay Compares
St. Paul median: $64,822/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Paul Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $61,559 | +5.30% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | -22.20% less |
UX Designers in St. Paul, MN earn a median of $64,822 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.20% lower than the national median of $83,320 and 5.30% above the Minnesota state average of $61,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Paul 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.
St. Paul, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $64,822 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,809 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$46,615
2025 BLS Actual
$60,683
2026 Current Est.
$64,822
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in St. Paul (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $46,615 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $95,015 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,683 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,822 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,242 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Paul metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $46,615 (2021) to $60,683 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,242 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,627 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Paul 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) | $37,596 – $46,672 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,672 – $64,822 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,822 – $82,971 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,971 – $100,474 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in St. Paul
St. Paul currently employs around 80 ux designers, reflecting a healthy local market that offers diverse opportunities across various sectors. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, suggesting that while salaries may fall below national averages, the purchasing power remains competitive. Companies known to offer higher compensation typically include major tech players such as FAANG firms and other large software entities, where salaries can significantly exceed local averages, especially for positions with a focus on design systems or those with extensive portfolios in high-traffic applications. To maximize their earnings in St. Paul, designers should aim for roles in these top-tier companies, consider broadening their specialties beyond product design to include research or management, and enhance their portfolios with substantial projects.
More salary data for St. Paul, 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 $60,683 for ux designersin the St. Paul 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 St. Paul 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