Registered Nurse Salary in North Dakota: $85,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median registered nurse pay sits at $85,649/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1141. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $93,097 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: West Fargo ($88,199), Dickinson ($87,754), Williston ($85,636).
In 2026, registered nurse salaries in North Dakota are projected to average $85,650, which is approximately 16.6% lower than the national median of $102,730. The highest-paying city in the state is West Fargo, offering an average salary of $92,882, while Grand Forks has the lowest at $83,269. The significant salary gap between these cities is influenced by factors such as the local cost of living, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and demand for services. North Dakota nurses face specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can impact their credentials and job functions. The state's healthcare system is continually evolving, creating a sustained demand for nurses, especially given the projected 5.31% annual growth rate in employment for registered nurses. The job market strength remains solid, supported by an increasing population and advancing healthcare needs. With an estimated 9,117 registered nurses employed throughout the state, cities like Dickinson at $92,414, Williston at $90,183, and Mandan at $88,333 offer competitive salaries, reflecting localized variances. The trend points to a favorable job outlook, enhancing opportunities for nurses while navigating the challenges of varying city wages and state regulations.
North Dakota Registered Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $64,995 (lowest entry-level) to $131,456 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota registered nurses earn 16.63% less than the national median ($-17,081/year difference).
North Dakota Registered Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Registered Nurse salaries in North Dakota range from $71,795 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,395 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,649. The North Dakota median is $17,081 below the US national median of $102,730. The average hourly rate is $41.18/hr. Approximately 9,117 registered nurses are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$64,568
2025 BLS Actual
$81,331
2026 Current Est.
$85,649
2019–2027 Growth
+39.7%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,568 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,598 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,389 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,949 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,331 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,197 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 26.0% from $64,568 (2019) to $81,331 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,629 (39.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $83,269 |
| Minot | $84,764 |
| Bismarck | $85,427 |
| Fargo | $86,481 |
| Mandan | $88,333 |
Best Value Cities for Registered Nurses in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for registered nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Fargo | $92,882 | 92 | $100,959 |
| Dickinson | $92,414 | 92 | $100,450 |
| Williston | $90,183 | 92 | $98,025 |
| Minot | $84,764 | 87.028 | $97,399 |
| Grand Forks | $83,269 | 86.663 | $96,084 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $71,795 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,649 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $107,395 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Fargo | $92,882 |
| 2 | Dickinson | $92,414 |
| 3 | Williston | $90,183 |
| 4 | Mandan | $88,333 |
| 5 | Fargo | $86,481 |
| 6 | Bismarck | $85,427 |
| 7 | Minot | $84,764 |
| 8 | Grand Forks | $83,269 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore registered nurse hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced registered nurses.
Explore More Registered Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for registered nurses in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota registered nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level registered nurse salary in North Dakota?
How many registered nurses are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for registered nurses?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.31% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 registered nurse compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more registered nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 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