Graphic Designer Salary in Minnesota: $66,273 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median graphic designer pay sits at $66,273/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 27-1024. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,282 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Minneapolis ($65,610), St. Paul ($64,951), Bloomington ($64,447).
In 2026, graphic designers in Minnesota are projected to earn an average median salary of $66,273, which is 1.8% above the national median of $65,075. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with Minneapolis offering the highest average at $67,814, while Mankato presents the lowest at $55,969, highlighting a difference of $11,845. This gap can largely be attributed to the concentration of larger businesses and agencies in metro areas like Minneapolis, which often demand advanced design skills and offer more substantial budgets. Minnesota does not have stringent licensing requirements specific to graphic designers, allowing a wider pool of talent to enter the field. Demand for graphic designers is driven by sectors such as advertising, marketing, and digital media, reflecting a steady growth outlook with a projected annual growth rate of 3.36%. The state's job market for graphic designers shows strength, with 4,622 professionals employed statewide. Other cities contributing to the labor market include St. Paul at $67,133, Bloomington at $66,612, Rochester at $63,298, and Maple Grove at $61,118. This diverse salary landscape and strong demand signal a healthy future for graphic design careers in Minnesota.
Minnesota Graphic Designer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $35,045 (lowest entry-level) to $105,314 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota graphic designers earn 1.84% more than the national median (+$1,198/year difference).
Minnesota Graphic Designer Salary Distribution (2026)
Graphic Designer salaries in Minnesota range from $46,706 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,100 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,273. The Minnesota median is $1,198 above the US national median of $65,075. The average hourly rate is $31.86/hr. Approximately 4,622 graphic designers are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,855
2025 BLS Actual
$64,119
2026 Current Est.
$66,273
2019–2027 Growth
+32.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,855 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,985 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,166 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,119 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,273 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 23.7% from $51,855 (2019) to $64,119 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,645 (32.10%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Graphic Designers in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for graphic designers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $63,298 | 90.821 | $69,695 |
| St. Cloud | $60,300 | 87.632 | $68,810 |
| St. Paul | $67,133 | 98.5 | $68,155 |
| Bloomington | $66,612 | 98.5 | $67,626 |
| Duluth | $59,907 | 88.768 | $67,487 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,706 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,273 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,100 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minneapolis | $67,814 |
| 2 | St. Paul | $67,133 |
| 3 | Bloomington | $66,612 |
| 4 | Rochester | $63,298 |
| 5 | Maple Grove | $61,118 |
| 6 | Woodbury | $61,094 |
| 7 | Eden Prairie | $61,037 |
| 8 | St. Cloud | $60,300 |
| 9 | Duluth | $59,907 |
| 10 | Owatonna | $59,860 |
| 11 | Brooklyn Park | $59,780 |
| 12 | Plymouth | $59,676 |
| 13 | Roseville | $59,640 |
| 14 | Chaska | $59,593 |
| 15 | Minnetonka | $59,580 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $59,514 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $59,466 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $59,246 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $59,205 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $59,112 |
| 21 | Eagan | $59,102 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $59,088 |
| 23 | Elk River | $59,079 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $59,018 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $58,803 |
| 26 | Blaine | $58,553 |
| 27 | Apple Valley | $58,462 |
| 28 | Shakopee | $58,405 |
| 29 | Coon Rapids | $58,396 |
| 30 | Savage | $58,301 |
| 31 | Edina | $58,295 |
| 32 | Maplewood | $58,123 |
| 33 | Andover | $58,110 |
| 34 | Richfield | $58,082 |
| 35 | St. Louis Park | $58,077 |
| 36 | Moorhead | $57,993 |
| 37 | Northfield | $57,574 |
| 38 | Hastings | $57,451 |
| 39 | Fridley | $57,193 |
| 40 | Winona | $57,146 |
| 41 | Shoreview | $57,123 |
| 42 | Austin | $57,034 |
| 43 | Faribault | $56,961 |
| 44 | Mankato | $55,969 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore graphic designer hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced graphic designers.
Compare Cities in Minnesota
View all comparisons →Explore More Graphic Designer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for graphic designers in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota graphic designer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level graphic designer salary in Minnesota?
How many graphic designers are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for graphic designers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.36% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 graphic designer compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more graphic designerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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