Graphic Designers Salary
The median pay for a graphic designers in North Dakota is $56,470/year ($27.15/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $76K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $63,528 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 27.3% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $56K get you in North Dakota?
About graphic designers
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What this looks like in North Dakota
Graphic designers pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $56K locally vs. $63K nationwide, a 10% difference. Rent runs $1,034/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.8% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level graphic designers (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $56K. Top earners bring in $76K or more, a $38K spread from bottom to top.
Graphic Designers salary by metro in North Dakota
3 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $57K | +2% | 90 |
| Fargo | $56K | -1% | 260 |
| Grand Forks | $55K | -2% | 70 |
Compare to other states
Track graphic designers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a graphic designer afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $56K, rent takes 26.8% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for graphic designers in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new graphic designers typically earn — is $38K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,257/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 46% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is graphic designer a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $56K locally vs. $63K nationally, a 10% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for graphic designers?
North Dakota pays $56K median vs. the U.S. average of $63K — that’s -10%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $64K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do graphic designers make in North Dakota?
The median is $56,470 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,610, and experienced graphic designers can clear $75,700. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $56K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,859/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 26.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a graphic designers salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median graphic designers salary is worth about $63,528 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do graphic designers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.