Entry-Level Registered Nurse Salary in Williston, ND: $67,342 (2026)
Quick Answer:New registered nurses entering the Williston, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,342 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1141, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Williston's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,198 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($90,183) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, new graduates pursuing a career as registered nurses in Williston, ND, can anticipate an entry-level salary starting around $67,342. This amount reflects the lower end of the salary spectrum for entry-level positions and presents a gap compared to the city’s median annual salary of $90,183. However, over the first few years, there is significant potential for growth as new nurses can progress toward the 25th percentile salary of $75,926 and eventually aim for the median within 3-5 years. This trajectory indicates that Williston is a favorable market for new nursing graduates, especially considering the ongoing demand for healthcare professionals in the region.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Williston
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
Entry-level registered nurses in Williston, ND typically start between $67,342 and $75,926 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $55,199 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $90,183 — 12.21% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average nursing program cost in North Dakota of $45,000 represents just 66.82% of the starting registered nurse pay ($67,342/year) in Williston. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on ACEN- and CCNE-accredited nursing programs and state board of nursing data. Tuition varies significantly between community college ADN, public university BSN, and private university BSN pathways.
RN Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Williston
- 1Research the Williston market: entry-level registered nurse pay ranges from $67,342 to $75,926, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the nursing field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Williston, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Williston for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Williston's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Registered Nurse Compensation Range
The registered nurse wage spread in Williston is $55,199 ( 81.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,342, experienced hygienists can earn up to $122,541.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$48,307
2025 BLS Actual
$63,946
2026 Current Est.
$67,342
2019–2027 Growth
+46.8%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,307 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,541 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,143 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,813 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,424 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,946 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,342 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,917 | Projected |
Entry-level registered nurse compensation (10th percentile) in Williston, ND grew 32.4% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $48,307 in 2019 to $63,946 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,917. New graduates entering the Williston job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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 5.31% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your nursing Career in Williston
Graduates can find employment opportunities with a variety of local healthcare providers, including large hospital systems that offer new-grad nurse residency programs, typically lasting 12 months. These programs frequently encompass rotations across various departments like the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and the Emergency Department (ED), providing invaluable experience. Additionally, community hospitals often prioritize quicker cross-training for new nurses. Credentials such as an active RN license from the state board of nursing, along with either an Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) or a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), are essential for securing a competitive starting position. To enhance starting pay potential, new graduates should consider obtaining specialty certifications like AACN’s CCRN or ENA’s CEN, which can elevate their marketability in this evolving job landscape. Nurses in their first few years can also benefit significantly from shift differentials, as working nights or weekends may command higher pay rates. Altogether, the strategies and educational investments early in one’s nursing career can lead to meaningful salary growth in the Williston area.
More salary data for Williston, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new nursing graduates. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Williston. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Williston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov