Healthcare Recruiting
Registered Nurse Salary in North Dakota 2026: City-by-City Pay Data
North Dakota registered nurses earn an average of $68,500 per year in 2026. Fargo's expanding healthcare infrastructure anchors the high end of the market, while western North Dakota oil communities and rural reservation areas offer significant incentives to attract and retain nursing staff.
North Dakota RN Salary by City (2026)
| City | Avg Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $72,000 | $34.62 |
| Bismarck | $69,500 | $33.41 |
| Grand Forks | $67,500 | $32.45 |
| Minot | $67,000 | $32.21 |
| Williston | $68,500 | $32.93 |
| Dickinson | $66,000 | $31.73 |
Highest-Paying Nursing Specialties in North Dakota
| Specialty | Avg Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| CRNA | $208,000 |
| ICU / Critical Care RN | $80,500 |
| ER / Emergency RN | $78,500 |
| OR / Surgical RN | $77,000 |
| Labor & Delivery RN | $73,500 |
| Med-Surg RN | $67,500 |
Top Employers in North Dakota
- Sanford Health — Fargo and Bismarck; largest health system in ND, strong new-grad residency
- Essentia Health — Fargo; Duluth-based system with major ND presence; Level I trauma
- CHI St. Alexius Health — Bismarck; statewide presence, competitive benefits
- Altru Health System — Grand Forks; serves northeastern ND and northwestern MN
- Trinity Health ND — Minot; north-central ND regional hub
NLC Compact Status
North Dakota is a full NLC compact member. RNs with a North Dakota multistate license may practice in any compact state without a separate license. This is particularly valuable for nurses near the South Dakota and Minnesota borders.
North Dakota RN Market Outlook
Western ND's oil patch (Williston Basin) generates healthcare demand that outstrips local supply — Williston and Dickinson hospitals offer competitive premiums. Rural reservation communities have NHSC loan repayment eligibility. Travel RN rates in Fargo run $1,500–$1,900/week.
Related: RN Salary South Dakota 2026, RN Salary Minnesota 2026, North Dakota RN License Guide.
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