North Dakota wages
Midwest region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, North Dakota has a median annual wage of $50,320 and a mean of $61,810 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — +1.7% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #30 of 51 states by mean wage. About 424,030 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in North Dakota is Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in North Dakota: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in North Dakota for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | North Dakota median | US median | North Dakota jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $98,550 | $133,080 | 1,510 |
| Registered Nurses | $78,260 | $93,600 | 11,000 |
| Electricians | $65,820 | $62,350 | 3,150 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,970 | $57,440 | 10,510 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $72,180 | $81,680 | 4,110 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $57,820 | $62,340 | 4,360 |
| Lawyers | $104,940 | $151,160 | 1,070 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $62,670 | $62,970 | 1,650 |
| Pharmacists | $135,570 | $137,480 | 980 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $75,530 | $76,290 | 1,850 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in North Dakota
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in North Dakota, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $266,220 |
| 2 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $306,540 |
| 3 | Dentists, General | $201,280 | $224,300 |
| 4 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $140,560 | $147,470 |
| 5 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $136,300 | $138,830 |
| 6 | Pharmacists | $135,570 | $125,790 |
| 7 | Financial Managers | $130,070 | $151,000 |
| 8 | Human Resources Managers | $127,190 | $134,940 |
| 9 | Physician Assistants | $126,180 | $118,300 |
| 10 | Marketing Managers | $123,460 | $132,020 |
| 11 | Nurse Practitioners | $123,220 | $121,200 |
| 12 | Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products | $119,610 | $117,380 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in North Dakota?
The median annual wage across all occupations in North Dakota is $50,320 and the mean is $61,810 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is +1.7% versus the US median of $49,500. North Dakota ranks #30 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in North Dakota include Family Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), General Internal Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), Dentists, General ($201,280). See the full list on this page.
Are North Dakota wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. North Dakota's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within North Dakota. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20