UX Designer Salary in Pierre, SD: $90,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Pierre, SD earns a median $90,724/year (≈ $43.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $97,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the average salary for a UX designer in Pierre, South Dakota, is projected to reach $90,724, marking a competitive position compared to the national average of $83,320. The salary range in this local market varies substantially, with entry-level professionals earning around $52,621 and experienced designers potentially making as much as $140,623. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living variations, reflect a robust market for design talent relative to Pierre's modest job landscape. As the local economy lags the national scene, this disparity highlights the opportunity for designers to capitalize on their specialized skills in a growing field.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($89,400) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,621 | $25.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $68,248 | $32.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,724 | $43.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $116,127 | $55.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,623 | $67.61 |
Median Salary Position
8.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $88,002 (2026 est.). At $90,724, the local median is 8.89% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre UX Designer Pay Compares
Pierre median: $90,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $96,515 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | +8.89% more |
UX Designers in Pierre, SD earn a median of $90,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.89% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $96,515.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $90,724 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,763 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$65,242
2025 BLS Actual
$84,932
2026 Current Est.
$90,724
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Pierre (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $65,242 | Actual |
| 2022 | $67,978 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,473 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $84,932 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,912 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $65,242 (2021) to $84,932 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,670 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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) | $52,621 – $68,248 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $68,248 – $90,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,724 – $116,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $116,127 – $140,623 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Pierre
The local job market in Pierre hosts only four UX designers, indicating a concentrated but potentially competitive environment for talent. Although the cost-of-living index sits at 92.8, which is lower than the national average, it positions designers favorably in terms of take-home purchasing power. High-paying opportunities could arise in tech companies, especially those aligned with larger firms or consultancy agencies. Factors influencing pay variability include company tier—where FAANG or unicorn statuses offer premium compensation—or portfolio strength, as successful design projects in heavily-trafficked environments can command higher salaries. In a market with limited roles, designers may maximize their compensation through clear specialization in areas like design systems or UX research while remaining adaptive to contract or freelance opportunities that can yield higher rewards.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
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 $84,932 for ux designersin the Pierre 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 Pierre 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