Average Salaries in North Dakota
Explore salaries across 559 occupations in North Dakota. The average median wage across all tracked occupations is $70.4K, +7.0% vs the national average. See the highest-paying roles, where the jobs are, and how local wages compare to the rest of the country.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, May 2025 estimates. Coverage: 559 occupations and 422,360 total jobs in North Dakota.
How the state compares
North Dakota pays modestly above the national average. Most occupations here earn more than their national equivalents, but the gap is smaller than in top-tier markets.
North Dakota has a smaller labor market. Some occupations may have limited local demand or a narrower range of employers.
The highest-paid occupation tracked here is Surgeons, All Other. Drill into any occupation below to see its local pay distribution, employment, and how it compares to the national market.
Top-paying and largest occupations in North Dakota
Two different lenses on the local labor market: which occupations pay the most, and which employ the most workers. The highest-paid list tends to favor specialized professional and technical roles. The largest list reflects where the everyday jobs actually are.
Highest-paid occupations in North Dakota
| Occupation | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeons, All Other | $604.9K | 150 |
| Radiologists | $553.1K | 120 |
| Physicians, All Other | $454.6K | 740 |
| Obstetricians And Gynecologists | $414.1K | 70 |
| Emergency Medicine Physicians | $392.9K | 150 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $338.4K | 200 |
| Family Medicine Physicians | $280.1K | 260 |
| Nurse Anesthetists | $244.2K | 250 |
| Pediatricians, General | $235K | 90 |
| Dentists, General | $220.7K | 260 |
Largest occupations in North Dakota
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy And Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | 11,870 | $60.9K |
| Fast Food And Counter Workers | 11,470 | $30.1K |
| Registered Nurses | 11,340 | $80.7K |
| Retail Salespersons | 11,320 | $36K |
| General And Operations Managers | 11,150 | $98.2K |
| Laborers And Freight, Stock, And Material Movers, Hand | 9,990 | $45.7K |
| Cashiers | 9,510 | $31.5K |
| Office Clerks, General | 8,440 | $50.2K |
| Home Health And Personal Care Aides | 7,730 | $39.4K |
| Nursing Assistants | 6,840 | $45.8K |
What North Dakota specializes in
The location quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is here compared to the national average. A value above 1.00 means the occupation is more common in North Dakota than in the country as a whole, which signals what this state is known for.
Most concentrated occupations in North Dakota
| Occupation | Location quotient | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Wellhead Pumpers | 30.98 | $79.8K |
| Service Unit Operators, Oil And Gas | 25.16 | $60.8K |
| Roustabouts, Oil And Gas | 19.77 | $60.5K |
| Derrick Operators, Oil And Gas | 16.80 | $71.9K |
| Gas Plant Operators | 15.56 | $96.8K |
| Wind Turbine Service Technicians | 11.28 | $66.7K |
| Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, And Gaugers | 10.42 | $93.1K |
| Tank Car, Truck, And Ship Loaders | 10.33 | $61.2K |
| Soil And Plant Scientists | 9.50 | $65.3K |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics And Service Technicians | 7.40 | $63K |
Comparable states
| State | Average median | Highest-paid occupation |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $89.7K | Neurologists |
| Washington | $86.5K | Cardiologists |
| New York | $83.2K | Cardiologists |
| California | $83.2K | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric |
| Massachusetts | $81.2K | Radiologists |
| New Jersey | $80.4K | Radiologists |
| Minnesota | $79.9K | Radiologists |
| Alaska | $79.6K | Emergency Medicine Physicians |
Metros inside North Dakota
Salaries can vary a lot within a single state. Urban metro areas typically pay more than rural regions, and specific industries cluster in particular cities. Drill into any metro below for its own full salary breakdown.
Major metros in North Dakota
| Metro | Average median | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $69.5K | 143,000 |
| Bismarck, ND | $70.9K | 65,330 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $66.2K | 46,090 |
| Minot, ND | $61.2K | 28,070 |
Common salary questions for North Dakota
What does "average median" mean? +
It is the average of all occupation-level medians in this area. It gives a rough sense of the overall wage level here compared to other states or metros, but it is not the same as a household income figure or a single blended salary.
What is a location quotient? +
A location quotient (LQ) compares how concentrated an occupation is in this area versus the national average. An LQ of 2.0 means the occupation is twice as concentrated here as it is nationally. High-LQ occupations are what this area specializes in.
How are comparable areas selected? +
Peer areas are other states with a similar overall wage level and employment size. They give you a quick sense of how this area ranks among places with a comparable labor market.