Average and median wage in North Dakota
Half of the 429,430 workers in North Dakota earn less than $52,480 a year, the median wage, while the average pay is $64,050, or $30.79 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% make $31,330 or less and the top 10% $103,160 or more. The average is 8% less than the U.S. average ($69,770) and the median about the same as the U.S. median ($50,980).
- $31K10th
- $39K25th
- $52KMedian
- $76K75th
- $103K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | North Dakota per year | Per hour* | U.S. per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $64,050 | $30.79 | $69,770 |
| Median | $52,480 | $25.23 | $50,980 |
| 10th percentile | $31,330 | $15.06 | $31,200 |
| 25th percentile | $38,600 | $18.56 | $37,590 |
| 75th percentile | $75,810 | $36.45 | $80,520 |
| 90th percentile | $103,160 | $49.60 | $128,560 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Statewide figures include every employer in the state, metro and rural. Median vs. average salary · reading percentiles.
Average salary by city in North Dakota
- Bismarck$64,630
- Fargo$64,380
- Grand Forks$61,980
- Minot$60,600
Map of North Dakota metro areas
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
Salary, take-home pay and cost of living by city
| City | Average | Median | Take-home* | Cost of living | Home value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $64,630 | $52,560 | $54,107 | 91 | $356,992 |
| Fargo | $64,380 | $51,050 | $53,909 | 91 | $327,854 |
| Grand Forks | $61,980 | $49,760 | $51,981 | 87 | $275,955 |
| Minot | $60,600 | $48,940 | $50,872 | 87 | $268,181 |
*Average salary after federal and state income tax and payroll taxes for a single filer. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Highest-paying jobs in North Dakota
- Surgeons, All Other · Fargo$549,670
- Radiologists · Bismarck$548,270
- Physicians, All Other · Bismarck$401,550
- Physicians, All Other · Fargo$374,030
- General Internal Medicine Physicians · Grand Forks$342,190
- General Internal Medicine Physicians · Bismarck$333,420
- Obstetricians and Gynecologists · Fargo$331,990
- General Internal Medicine Physicians · Fargo$314,680
- Family Medicine Physicians · Bismarck$283,970
- Family Medicine Physicians · Fargo$262,850
Most common jobs in North Dakota
| Job | Jobs statewide | Average | Median | Highest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 11,870 | $63,330 | $60,910 | $67,230 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 11,470 | $31,260 | $30,080 | $31,720 |
| Registered Nurses | 11,340 | $83,600 | $80,730 | $84,740 |
| Retail Salespersons | 11,320 | $38,530 | $36,040 | $39,330 |
| General and Operations Managers | 11,150 | $115,830 | $98,170 | $115,860 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | 9,990 | $45,910 | $45,690 | $45,360 |
| Cashiers | 9,510 | $32,700 | $31,460 | $33,380 |
| Office Clerks, General | 8,440 | $52,730 | $50,160 | $52,530 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | 7,730 | $41,490 | $39,440 | $42,010 |
| Nursing Assistants | 6,840 | $43,330 | $45,820 | $43,950 |
Jobs, average and median: BLS statewide estimates. Highest city average: best-paid metro area we cover in the state.
Average salary by job family in North Dakota
North Dakota income tax and take-home pay
Take-home figures on these pages apply North Dakota's 2026 income tax rules for a single filer with the standard deduction, plus federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security and Medicare.
North Dakota at a glance
Average salary in other states
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Salary in North Dakota: questions
What is the average salary in North Dakota?
$64,050 a year across all jobs, according to BLS statewide estimates (OEWS, May 2025). That is 8% less than the U.S. average ($69,770).
What is the median salary in North Dakota?
$52,480 a year: half of North Dakota workers earn more and half earn less. The median is lower than the average because a minority of high earners lifts the average.
What is the average hourly wage in North Dakota?
$30.79 an hour on average, and $25.23 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
Which city in North Dakota pays the most?
Bismarck, with an average of $64,630 a year among the metro areas we cover.
Is North Dakota expensive to live in?
BEA puts North Dakota prices 11% below the U.S. average (price parity 89.0). Within the state, Bismarck 91, Fargo 91, Minot 87 are the most expensive metros.
Sources and how to read this page
- Statewide figures: BLS OEWS state estimates, May 2025, all occupations and every employer in the state (metro and rural areas).
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. City figures: the metro areas we cover in North Dakota.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Population and median household income: Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2023.
- Crime: FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crimes reported by agencies statewide, latest 12 months available.
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