Graphic Designer Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $56,962 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $56,962/year (≈ $27.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $65,728 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, graphic designers in Grand Forks, North Dakota, can expect a median salary of $56,962, which falls short compared to the national median of $65,075. Salaries for graphic designers in this region range from $38,264 at the 10th percentile to $80,187 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, which indicate a distinct divide in earnings potential based on the nature of employment. Designers working in agencies often face a tradeoff: while they may receive lower starting salaries, the variety of projects and potential for higher earnings in creative leadership roles contrasts with the steadier, often more predictable pay offered by in-house corporate positions. In Grand Forks, understanding these dynamics is crucial, particularly as the local market prepares for a projected growth rate of 3.36% annually in the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,264 | $18.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,287 | $22.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,962 | $27.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,626 | $32.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,187 | $38.55 |
Median Salary Position
12.47% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,923 (2026 est.). At $56,962, the local median is 12.47% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $56,962/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,897 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -12.47% less |
Graphic Designers in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $56,962 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.47% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 4.90% below the North Dakota state average of $59,897.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% 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 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $56,962 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,728 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,590
2025 BLS Actual
$55,110
2026 Current Est.
$56,962
2019–2027 Growth
+18.7%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,590 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,962 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 11.1% from $49,590 (2019) to $55,110 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,286 (18.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) 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 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) | $38,264 – $47,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,287 – $56,962 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,962 – $66,626 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,626 – $80,187 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Grand Forks
The job market for graphic designers in Grand Forks currently employs around 70 professionals, reflecting a modest yet stable demand for design talent in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 86.663, living expenses are below the national average, which can significantly enhance the take-home purchasing power for designers. Employers that tend to pay higher salaries include in-house corporate marketing teams within industries such as financial services and consumer packaged goods. Specialized skills, particularly in motion graphics and brand identity, can lead to better compensation due to the premium placed on these capabilities. Additionally, designers aiming to maximize pay may consider building a robust portfolio that highlights unique strengths or seeking freelance opportunities that yield higher day rates, especially in the upper tiers of the market. Establishing connections with local advertising and digital agencies, as well as exploring contract opportunities, can be pivotal for those looking to elevate their graphic designer pay in Grand Forks, ND.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Grand Forks, ND in 2026?
Is Grand Forks, ND a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Grand Forks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Grand Forks?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Grand Forks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 $55,110 for graphic designersin the Grand Forks 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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 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