UX Designer Salary in South Dakota: $94,639 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median ux designer pay sits at $94,639/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 15-1255. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,982 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($91,447), Sioux Falls ($91,410), Watertown ($86,924).
In 2026, the average median salary for UX designers in South Dakota is projected at $94,639, surpassing the national median of $83,320 by 13.6%. This indicates a favorable environment for UX careers within the state. Rapid City leads with the highest salary of $97,684, while Huron offers the lowest at $89,054, creating a salary gap of $8,630. Variations in pay can often be attributed to the concentration of tech companies and the cost of living in different areas, with urban centers generally providing more opportunities and higher wages. The UX design field in South Dakota is projected to grow at an annual compound growth rate of 6.82%, reflecting a steady demand for skilled professionals. This demand is supported by factors such as state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that facilitate the integration of UX roles into various industries. A total of 97 UX designers are employed in the state, with the top five cities—Rapid City, Sioux Falls ($97,644), Watertown ($92,852), Yankton ($92,822), and Spearfish ($92,591)—offering attractive prospects for job seekers. Overall, the outlook for UX designers in South Dakota appears strong, with opportunities continuing to expand in alignment with the growth of technology and design sectors.
South Dakota UX Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $51,651 (lowest entry-level) to $151,410 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota ux designers earn 13.58% more than the national median (+$11,319/year difference).
South Dakota UX Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
UX Designer salaries in South Dakota range from $54,891 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $146,691 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,639. The South Dakota median is $11,319 above the US national median of $83,320. The average hourly rate is $45.50/hr. Approximately 97 ux designers are employed across 11 cities.
2021 BLS Actual
$68,058
2025 BLS Actual
$88,597
2026 Current Est.
$94,639
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in South Dakota (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $68,058 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $92,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,283 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,597 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,639 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $101,094 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $68,058 (2021) to $88,597 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $101,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,036 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $89,054 |
| Vermillion | $89,191 |
| Brookings | $89,214 |
| Pierre | $90,724 |
| Aberdeen | $91,769 |
Best Value Cities for UX Designers in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for ux designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $97,684 | 92.8 | $105,263 |
| Sioux Falls | $97,644 | 92.8 | $105,220 |
| Watertown | $92,852 | 92.8 | $100,056 |
| Yankton | $92,822 | 92.8 | $100,024 |
| Spearfish | $92,591 | 92.8 | $99,775 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $54,891 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,639 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $146,691 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $97,684 |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $97,644 |
| 3 | Watertown | $92,852 |
| 4 | Yankton | $92,822 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $92,591 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $91,922 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $91,769 |
| 8 | Pierre | $90,724 |
| 9 | Brookings | $89,214 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $89,191 |
| 11 | Huron | $89,054 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore ux designer hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced ux designers.
Explore More UX Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do ux designers make in South Dakota in 2026?
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How does South Dakota ux designer pay compare to the national average?
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Which South Dakota city offers the best value for ux designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 6.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 ux designer compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more ux designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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