Bartender Salary in Fargo, ND
Bartenders in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $28,390 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $24,989 take-home, or $2,082 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median bartender salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$1,229
- Social Security (6.2%)$1,760
- Medicare (1.45%)$412
- North Dakota income tax$0
- Take-home pay$24,989
Marginal rate: 10% federal + 0.00% state
The Fargo, ND-MN metro spans North Dakota, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Bartender pay by experience in Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $18,860 | $9.07 | $17,141 | $1,428 |
| 25th percentile | $22,540 | $10.84 | $20,172 | $1,681 |
| Median (50th) | $28,390 | $13.65 | $24,989 | $2,082 |
| 75th percentile | $35,700 | $17.16 | $30,865 | $2,572 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,860 | $27.34 | $47,867 | $3,989 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $28,390 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 bartender's $24,989 take-home pay has the buying power of $27,500 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 1.9× the national concentration of bartender jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for bartenders, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #136 of 237 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului, HI | $86,280 | $64,501 | $58,962 |
| 2 | Urban Honolulu, HI | $75,340 | $57,636 | $51,943 |
| 3 | Kennewick, WA | $55,820 | $47,031 | $46,994 |
| 4 | Bellingham, WA | $56,110 | $47,264 | $45,739 |
| 5 | Seattle, WA | $58,180 | $48,928 | $44,026 |
| 6 | New York, NY | $61,220 | $48,661 | $43,230 |
| 7 | Bremerton, WA | $53,810 | $45,416 | $43,005 |
| 8 | Portland, ME | $54,170 | $43,231 | $42,442 |
| 136 | Fargo, ND | $28,390 | $24,989 | $27,500 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 237 metros →
Bartender salaries elsewhere in North Dakota
- Grand Forks, ND — $28,770
- Bismarck, ND — $29,350
Frequently asked questions
How much does a bartender make in Fargo, ND?
The median bartender salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $28,390 a year, or about $13.65 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $22,540 and $35,700.
What is a bartender’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $28,390 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $24,989 a year ($2,082 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a bartender?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $34,340. Local prices are 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $27,500 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #136 of 237 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a bartender 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) — 44% of a median bartender’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND
- First-Line Supervisor of Food Preparation and Serving Workers — $44,480
- Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria — $41,120
- Cooks, Restaurant — $37,020
- Food Servers, Nonrestaurant — $36,720
- Food Preparation Worker — $36,590
- Fast Food and Counter Worker — $30,950
- Waiter and Waitress — $30,330