Registered Nurse Salary in North Dakota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Registered Nurses in North Dakota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Dakota Median
$80,730
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $97,550
State Rank
#43 of 51
11,340 employed here

How much does a Registered Nurse make in North Dakota?

A Registered Nurse working in North Dakota earns a median salary of $80,730 per year, or about $38.81 per hour. That is 17% below the national median of $97,550 for this occupation.

Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $65,520 while the top 10% make $103,480 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $69,620 and $93,080 a year.

Registered Nurse salary range in North Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$65,520$31.50
25th percentile (early career)$69,620$33.47
50th percentile (median)$80,730$38.81
75th percentile (experienced)$93,080$44.75
90th percentile (top earners)$103,480$49.75

How North Dakota compares

North Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Registered Nurse pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$140,270
2Hawaii$136,320
3Oregon$129,010
4Washington$124,200
5Alaska$109,480

Working as a Registered Nurse in North Dakota

Nationally, about 3,380,000 people work as Registered Nurses in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare North Dakota pay ($80,730) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Registered Nurse make in North Dakota?
The median Registered Nurse salary in North Dakota is $80,730 per year, or about $38.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $65,520 at the entry level to $103,480 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Registered Nurses about 17% less than the national median of $97,550. North Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Registered Nurses?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $80,730 a year. About 11,340 Registered Nurses are employed in North Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Registered Nurse salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.