Graphic Designer Salary in Dickinson, ND: $58,540 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Dickinson, ND earns a median $58,540/year (≈ $28.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $63,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Freelance opportunities in Dickinson, ND, offer graphic designers flexible earnings, yet the local market reflects a median annual salary of $58,540, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,075. The compensation range within the area spans from $36,402 at the lowest end (P10) to $90,737 at the top (P90), illustrating the wide disparity in earnings based on experience, specialty, and work type. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data, adjusted for local price variances. This market's freelance day rates often outpace project rates as designers seek to maximize their take-home pay in a setting with both in-house and agency roles.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,402 | $17.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,804 | $21.54 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,540 | $28.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,255 | $35.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,737 | $43.63 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,335 (2026 est.). At $58,540, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $58,540/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,857 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -10.04% less |
Graphic Designers in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $58,540 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $59,857.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson 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.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $58,540 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,630 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.69% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,877
2025 BLS Actual
$56,637
2026 Current Est.
$58,540
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,877 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,019 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,617 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,166 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,994 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,778 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,540 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,507 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 20.8% from $46,877 (2019) to $56,637 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,507 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,630 (29.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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 3.36% CAGR derived from 7-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) | $36,402 – $44,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,804 – $58,540 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,540 – $73,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,255 – $90,737 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Dickinson
In Dickinson, only four graphic designers are actively employed, indicating a smaller and potentially competitive market. With a cost-of-living index at 92, designers in the area may find their purchasing power relative to salaries slightly constrained when compared to larger markets. Employers paying the highest salaries often come from corporate sectors like banking, consumer packaged goods (CPG), and established retail brands, where graphic design is integral to maintaining brand image. The salary divergence can largely be attributed to the type of design work, such as motion graphics and brand identity, which tend to command higher rates than more general roles. To maximize compensation within this specific market, designers may benefit from specializing in high-demand skills or building a distinctive portfolio that showcases diverse projects, positioning themselves favorably among local employers and clients.
More salary data for Dickinson, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, MFA
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience in graphic design. They specialize in branding and visual identity. Their work includes freelance projects for small businesses.
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 $56,637 for graphic designersin the Dickinson metropolitan area. A 3.36% 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 Dickinson 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 3.36%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for graphic designers (SOC 27-1024).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MFA, a licensed graphic designer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov