Graphic Designer Salary in Montana: $56K Median

The average Graphic Designer salary in Montana is $56,014 per year as of April 2026. Salaries range from $37,200 (entry, 25th percentile) up to $88,350 (90th percentile). State income tax applies.

Graphic Designers in Montana earn approximately 7% less than the US national median ($60,230 nationally vs $56,014 in Montana). Montana's cost-of-living index of 100 is close to the national average.

Yes — Graphic Designer salaries in Montana grew approximately 340.0% year-over-year, from $12,730 in 2025 to $56,014 in 2026. This reflects the broader Design sector's wage growth, driven by AI-assisted design and Motion graphics demand.

Montana has no major metros in our database — fallback to the closest tracked city for detailed breakdowns.

Graphic designer growth slowing as AI tools automate basic design. Top designers (UI, brand) commanding higher salaries. Montana's top industries include Agriculture, Tourism, Mining, and the state's unemployment rate is 3% — a tight labor market favoring candidates.

Yes, Montana has state income tax. This affects take-home pay — at $56,014, expect 4-7% effective state tax depending on filing status. See city pages for detailed take-home calculations.

Hottest 2026 skills: AI-assisted design, Motion graphics, Brand strategy, 3D design, UI/UX. ATS systems specifically scan for these. Adding them to your resume — naturally and in context — improves your match rate with Montana employers.

Senior product designers at peer SaaS companies are at $X plus equity. I'd like base in that range plus an RSU grant aligned with engineering at the same level. Beyond base, negotiate: RSU / equity grant aligned with engineering ladder, Annual hardware refresh (Mac, monitor, iPad), Software / Figma / Adobe license budget, Conference budget (Config, FITC) and learning stipend. Walk-away anchor for Montana: $50,012.