Graphic Designer Salary in Rochester, MN: $63,298 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Rochester, MN earns a median $63,298/year (≈ $30.43/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.8), that paycheck buys what $69,695 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Rochester, Minnesota, offers a promising median annual salary for graphic designers at $63,298, which reflects slightly below the national median of $65,075. This market shows a salary range from $47,039 at the lower end to as much as $94,440 for those at the higher percentile. With salaries derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, the local graphic design job market highlights strong prospects, particularly for professionals with specialties in motion graphics or brand identity, which can yield significant premiums. Understanding this financial landscape is essential for establishing a successful career in graphic design within this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,039 | $22.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,907 | $24.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,298 | $30.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,887 | $38.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,440 | $45.41 |
Median Salary Position
2.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, MN, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,401 (2026 est.). At $63,298, the local median is 2.73% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Rochester median: $63,298/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $60,283 | +5.00% more |
| National Average | $65,075 | -2.73% less |
Graphic Designers in Rochester, MN earn a median of $63,298 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.73% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 5.00% above the Minnesota state average of $60,283.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 9.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, MN has a cost-of-living index of 90.821 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $63,298 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,695 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,700
2025 BLS Actual
$61,240
2026 Current Est.
$63,298
2019–2027 Growth
+40.1%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,500 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,298 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,424 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 31.1% from $46,700 (2019) to $61,240 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,424 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,724 (40.09%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $47,039 – $51,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,907 – $63,298 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,298 – $79,887 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,887 – $94,440 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Rochester
Rochester employs around 80 graphic designers, indicating a stable local job market for this profession. The cost of living index stands at 90.821, suggesting that resident designers can enjoy a better purchasing power compared to the national average. Employers in this area span in-house corporate marketing teams, especially in sectors like finance and consumer packaged goods, as well as creative agency environments. Notably, top agencies could command higher salaries for creative directors, while general graphic designers may find themselves in a broader spectrum of pay depending on their specialty. Designers looking to maximize their pay in Rochester should focus on enhancing their portfolios, targeting in-demand specialties, and considering freelance opportunities for premium projects, as these factors create a more favorable financial outlook.
More salary data for Rochester, MN:
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 $61,240 for graphic designersin the Rochester 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