UX Designer Salary in Spearfish, SD: $92,591 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time ux designer in Spearfish, SD earns a median $92,591/year (≈ $44.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 15-1255). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $99,775 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the expected median annual salary for an UX designer in Spearfish, South Dakota, is projected at $92,591, representing a competitive rise compared to the national figure of $83,320. With salaries ranging from $53,703 at the 10th percentile to $143,515 at the 90th percentile, the local market has managed to absorb the disruptions caused by design layoffs in recent years. This adjustment reflects the robust nature of the Spearfish job market, which is gradually re-establishing itself as a viable destination for design professionals. The data provided is based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level figures and regional price parity adjustments, ensuring the figures offer a realistic snapshot of local compensation trends for UX designers.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($89,400) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,703 | $25.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $69,918 | $33.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,591 | $44.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,516 | $56.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $143,515 | $69.00 |
Median Salary Position
11.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the ux designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $89,812 (2026 est.). At $92,591, the local median is 11.13% above the national median of $83,320.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spearfish UX Designer Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $92,591/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $96,549 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $83,320 | +11.13% more |
UX Designers in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $92,591 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.13% higher than the national median of $83,320 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $96,549.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A ux designer earning $92,591 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,775 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2021 BLS Actual
$66,584
2025 BLS Actual
$86,679
2026 Current Est.
$92,591
2021–2027 Growth
+48.5%
Salary Trajectory for UX Designers in Spearfish (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 6.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $66,584 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,377 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,548 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,679 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,591 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $98,905 | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median ux designer salary grew 30.2% from $66,584 (2021) to $86,679 (2025). At a 6.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $98,905 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,321 (48.54%) from 2021.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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) | $53,703 – $69,918 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $69,918 – $92,591 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,591 – $118,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,516 – $143,515 |
UX salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual ux designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
UX Designer Job Market in Spearfish
Within the Spearfish job market, only five UX designers are currently employed, underscoring a tight yet promising field for aspiring professionals. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.8, which indicates a lower economic burden and enhances purchasing power for those earning in this sector. Companies that tend to pay higher salaries for UX positions include tech giants and local agencies focused on digital design. Factors contributing to the disparity between lower and upper salary brackets include company tier and specialization. Those with strong portfolios or experience with platforms like Figma can often command higher compensation rates. To maximize pay in this specific market, designers should leverage their skills in design systems or aim for roles with substantial project variety, being mindful of market trends that favor candidates adaptable to evolving design demands.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 $86,679 for ux designersin the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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