Registered Nurse Salary in Fargo, ND
Registered Nurses in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $82,120 a year — 16% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $66,259 take-home, or $5,522 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,236
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,091
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,191
- North Dakota income tax$342
- Take-home pay$66,259
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 1.95% state
The Fargo, ND-MN metro spans North Dakota, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,620 | $33.47 | $57,709 | $4,809 |
| 25th percentile | $70,650 | $33.97 | $58,414 | $4,868 |
| Median (50th) | $82,120 | $39.48 | $66,259 | $5,522 |
| 75th percentile | $93,600 | $45.00 | $74,112 | $6,176 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $103,480 | $49.75 | $80,870 | $6,739 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $82,120 buys in Fargo, ND
Prices in Fargo, ND are 9.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $66,259 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,916 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fargo, ND has 1.5× the national concentration of registered nurse jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for registered nurses, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #88 of 206 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $216,740 | $142,511 | $129,059 |
| 2 | Vallejo, CA | $203,290 | $134,031 | $123,555 |
| 3 | Santa Rosa, CA | $174,550 | $116,298 | $107,899 |
| 4 | Sacramento, CA | $171,460 | $114,514 | $107,353 |
| 5 | San Francisco, CA | $186,610 | $123,394 | $106,730 |
| 6 | Bend, OR | $135,010 | $92,480 | $89,260 |
| 7 | Bakersfield, CA | $128,810 | $89,883 | $89,094 |
| 8 | Seattle, WA | $128,260 | $98,932 | $89,021 |
| 88 | Fargo, ND | $82,120 | $66,259 | $72,916 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 206 metros →
About the job: registered nurses
Assess patient health problems and needs, develop and implement nursing care plans, and maintain medical records. Administer nursing care to ill, injured, convalescent, or disabled patients. May advise patients on health maintenance and disease prevention or provide case management. Licensing or registration required.
- Typical education
- Bachelor's degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.6% (faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in North Dakota
- Bismarck, ND — $81,120
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Fargo, ND?
The median registered nurse salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $82,120 a year, or about $39.48 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $70,650 and $93,600.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $82,120 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $66,259 a year ($5,522 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $342 in North Dakota taxes in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 16% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,916 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #88 of 206 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Fargo, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fargo, ND is $917 a month ($1,112 for two bedrooms) — 17% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.