Graphic Designer Salary in Fargo, ND: $57,789 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time graphic designer in Fargo, ND earns a median $57,789/year (≈ $27.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 27-1024). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $63,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for graphic designers in Fargo, North Dakota, is $57,789, which reflects a competitive local pay structure compared to the national median of $65,075. The salary range for this profession in the region extends from $39,411 at the 10th percentile to $80,641 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse opportunities available within various specializations, such as motion graphics and brand identity, which typically command a premium. These insights are based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected to 2026, and highlight the evolving nature of the graphic designer job market in Fargo, where strong local demand influences compensation trends.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,411 | $18.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,558 | $21.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,789 | $27.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,902 | $31.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,641 | $38.77 |
Median Salary Position
11.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the graphic designer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,230 (2026 est.). At $57,789, the local median is 11.2% below the national median of $65,075.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Graphic Designer Pay Compares
Fargo median: $57,789/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $59,885 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,075 | -11.20% less |
Graphic Designers in Fargo, ND earn a median of $57,789 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.20% lower than the national median of $65,075 and 3.50% below the North Dakota state average of $59,885.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A graphic designer earning $57,789 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,595 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,010
2025 BLS Actual
$55,910
2026 Current Est.
$57,789
2019–2027 Growth
+42.2%
Salary Trajectory for Graphic Designers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.36% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,420 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,910 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,789 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,730 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median graphic designer salary grew 33.1% from $42,010 (2019) to $55,910 (2025). At a 3.36% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,730 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,720 (42.18%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $39,411 – $44,558 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,558 – $57,789 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,789 – $65,902 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,902 – $80,641 |
salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual graphic designer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Graphic Designer Job Market in Fargo
With around 260 graphic designers currently employed in Fargo, the local job market shows robust engagement in creative roles, although the cost of living index at 90.871 indicates that salaries may stretch further here than in higher-cost areas. The strongest employers are likely to be in-house corporate teams from sectors like banking, consumer goods, and technology, as well as marketing agencies known for high-profile projects. The disparity in pay largely derives from the project type, with specialists in motion graphics and brand identity often earning more than those focusing on general graphic design. To optimize their earning potential, designers in Fargo should focus on building a strong portfolio that showcases their unique skills and consider networking within established agencies, where pay and benefits tend to be more favorable than in freelance positions.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
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 $55,910 for graphic designersin the Fargo 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