Graphic Designer Salary in Duluth, MN: $59,907 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Duluth, MN earns a median $59,907/year (≈ $28.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $67,487 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the graphic designer salary in Duluth, Minnesota, is projected at $59,907 annually, which represents a slight decline compared to the national median of $65,075. For graphic designers in this region, the salary spectrum ranges from $37,303 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $82,709 for the top earners (90th percentile). This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, suggests that while Duluth offers a diverse job market with opportunities for freelancers and in-house designers alike, compensation tends to lag behind national figures. Freelance rates often fluctuate based on project work, with experienced professionals potentially commanding a higher pay scale for motion graphics or brand identity projects as opposed to more generalized graphic design tasks.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,303 | $17.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,238 | $21.27 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,907 | $28.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,652 | $33.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,709 | $39.76 |
Median Salary Position
7.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,406 (2026 est.). At $59,907, the local median is 7.94% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be above the median
How Duluth Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Duluth median: $59,907/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $60,330 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -7.94% less |
Graphic Designers in Duluth, MN earn a median of $59,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.94% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 0.70% below the Minnesota state average of $60,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $59,907 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,487 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% 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
$36,480
2025 BLS Actual
$57,960
2026 Current Est.
$59,907
2019–2027 Growth
+69.7%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,480 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,780 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,907 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 58.9% from $36,480 (2019) to $57,960 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,440 (69.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $37,303 – $44,238 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,238 – $59,907 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,907 – $68,652 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,652 – $82,709 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Duluth
Duluth’s job market for graphic designers includes approximately 130 employed in the area, revealing a steady demand for talent, particularly within corporate marketing teams and specialized agencies. The cost of living index stands at 88.768, indicating a lower-than-average cost of living that enhances purchasing power for local designers. Employers such as banks, major retailers, and tech companies often offer competitive salaries, especially for roles demanding specific design specialties. The variance in pay between lower and higher earnings can be attributed to several factors, including the type of work—those skilled in motion graphics or working with top-tier agencies generally earn more. For designers looking to maximize their graphic designer pay in Duluth, cultivating a strong portfolio, gaining experience with industry-standard tools like Adobe Creative Suite, and targeting in-demand specialties can facilitate higher earnings and more lucrative project opportunities.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do graphic designers make in Duluth, MN in 2026?
Is Duluth, MN a good place to work as a graphic designer?
Can graphic designers make $100K in Duluth?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted graphic designer salary in Duluth?
How much does a graphic designer make per hour in Duluth?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $57,960 for graphic designersin the Duluth 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