UX Designer Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $120,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $120,851/year (≈ $58.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $131,360 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $120,851 in 2026, the ux designer salary in Grand Forks, ND, significantly exceeds the national median of $83,320 by 45.04%. The salary range for ux designers in the city spans from $70,093 at the 10th percentile to $187,318 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are grounded in state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and adjusted for regional price parities. This strong compensation indicates a healthy local market, where designers may benefit from choosing between opportunities in tech, digital agencies, or in-house roles, each of which can affect overall pay and job responsibilities.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($111,450) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,093 | $33.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $87,012 | $41.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $120,851 | $58.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $154,689 | $74.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $187,318 | $90.06 |
Median Salary Position
45.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $117,225 (2026 est.). At $120,851, the local median is 45.04% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks UX Designer Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $120,851/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $120,130 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $83,320 | +45.04% more |
UX Designers in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $120,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 45.04% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 0.60% above the North Dakota state average of $120,130.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks 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.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $120,851 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,360 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$86,907
2025 BLS Actual
$113,135
2026 Current Est.
$120,851
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Grand Forks (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $86,907 | Actual |
| 2022 | $90,552 | Actual |
| 2023 | $107,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $113,135 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $120,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $129,093 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $86,907 (2021) to $113,135 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $129,093 by 2027 — a total increase of $42,186 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $70,093 – $87,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $87,012 – $120,851 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $120,851 – $154,689 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $154,689 – $187,318 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Grand Forks
Despite having only 14 ux designers currently employed in Grand Forks, the local market shows promising growth potential, with an expected annual expansion rate of 6.82%. The cost of living index stands at 92, which means that salaries stretch further compared to national averages, allowing designers to enjoy a better quality of life. Among the best-paying employers are local digital product agencies and in-house design teams at larger firms, with the highest compensation typically reserved for those with solid portfolios and experience in specialized niches like design systems. To maximize pay in this competitive landscape, focusing on portfolio strength, honing skills with Figma, and considering positions that offer equity or performance bonuses can yield substantial financial benefits for ux designers in Grand Forks.
More salary data for Grand Forks, 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 $113,135 for ux designersin the Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks 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