UX Designer Salary in Bismarck, ND: $118,452 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Bismarck, ND earns a median $118,452/year (≈ $56.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $128,752 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Bismarck's UX designer salary is projected to reach a median of $118,452, showcasing a competitive advantage over the national median of $83,320. The local salary range extends from $68,702 at the 10th percentile to $183,600 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in this North Dakota city. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and region-specific price parities, highlighting not just the demand but also the implications of company size and type on compensation. In Bismarck, choices between working for FAANG companies, digital product agencies, and in-house teams can significantly affect earning potentials, with tech-driven firms typically offering higher remuneration compared to their agency counterparts.
About the Bismarck Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($111,450) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $68,702 | $33.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $85,846 | $41.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,452 | $56.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $151,618 | $72.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $183,600 | $88.27 |
Median Salary Position
42.17% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $114,898 (2026 est.). At $118,452, the local median is 42.17% above the national median of $83,320.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck UX Designer Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $118,452/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $120,133 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | +42.17% more |
UX Designers in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $118,452 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.17% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 1.40% below the North Dakota state average of $120,133.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $118,452 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $128,752 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$85,182
2025 BLS Actual
$110,889
2026 Current Est.
$118,452
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Bismarck (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $85,182 | Actual |
| 2022 | $88,754 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,067 | Actual |
| 2024 | $101,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,452 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $126,530 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $85,182 (2021) to $110,889 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $126,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $41,348 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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) | $68,702 – $85,846 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $85,846 – $118,452 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,452 – $151,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $151,618 – $183,600 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Bismarck
The job market for UX designers in Bismarck is relatively niche, with only 11 professionals working in the area, indicating a tight-knit community and potential for strong networking. The local cost of living index sits at 92, which suggests that salaries may stretch further than in regions with a higher index. While major tech firms might offer the top salaries, designers at digital product agencies and boutique consulting firms can find competitive pay structures, albeit often at lower base salaries. The spread in earnings results from various factors, including company tier, design specialty, and portfolio strength. For designers in Bismarck ND, enhancing one's portfolio with projects featuring widely-used applications can lead to increased compensation opportunities. Moreover, maintaining visibility and connections within the local design community may provide an edge in negotiations and job offers, especially in a market where demand is steadily growing, with an expected annual growth rate of 6.82%.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
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 $110,889 for ux designersin the Bismarck 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 Bismarck 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