Registered Nurse Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $83,269 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $83,269/year (≈ $40.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $96,084 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.9% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the compensation for registered nurses is projected to be $83,269 in 2026, considerably lower than the national median of $102,730 for the same year. The salary range reflects a broad spectrum of pay, with entry-level positions starting at around $69,905 and more experienced nurses earning up to $103,046. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, showcases the unique challenges of the local job market, particularly the gap between staff and travel nurse compensation that can influence hiring dynamics. Employed in a market characterized by rising demand, RNs in Grand Forks navigate a landscape where competition and varied employer needs impact wages.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,905 | $33.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,930 | $37.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,269 | $40.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $98,770 | $47.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,046 | $49.54 |
Median Salary Position
18.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,141 (2026 est.). At $83,269, the local median is 18.94% below the national median of $102,730.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $83,269/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $94,516 | -11.90% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -18.94% less |
Registered Nurses in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $83,269 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.94% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 11.90% below the North Dakota state average of $94,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $83,269 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $96,084 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$59,414
2025 BLS Actual
$79,070
2026 Current Est.
$83,269
2019–2027 Growth
+47.6%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,414 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,059 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,780 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,800 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,269 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $87,690 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 33.1% from $59,414 (2019) to $79,070 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $87,690 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,276 (47.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $69,905 – $78,930 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,930 – $83,269 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,269 – $98,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $98,770 – $103,046 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Grand Forks
Local market conditions reveal that Grand Forks is home to approximately 1,280 registered nurses, providing steady employment opportunities amidst a competitive healthcare environment. With a cost-of-living index of 86.663, the area offers a relatively affordable living situation, which can enhance the purchasing power of registered nurse pay in Grand Forks, ND. Employers such as hospital systems, acute care facilities, and specialty clinics are among the highest paying positions for registered nurses, particularly for those with specialty certifications and shift differentials that can boost earnings. Various factors, including night and weekend differentials often add $3 to $7 per hour, and the prominence of magnet-status hospitals, encourage higher pay in critical care settings. To maximize salary potential, nurses should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking employment in high-demand specialties, and being flexible with scheduling, as these strategies can greatly influence overall earnings in this region.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do registered nurses make in Grand Forks, ND in 2026?
Is Grand Forks, ND a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Can registered nurses make $100K in Grand Forks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted registered nurse salary in Grand Forks?
How much does a registered nurse make per hour in Grand Forks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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
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 $79,070 for registered nursesin the Grand Forks metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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, 5-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