Registered Nurse Salary in Bismarck, ND
Registered Nurses in the Bismarck, ND metro area earn a median $81,120 a year — 17% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $65,575 take-home, or $5,465 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median registered nurse salary in Bismarck, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$9,016
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,029
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,176
- North Dakota income tax$323
- Take-home pay$65,575
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 1.95% state
Registered Nurse pay by experience in Bismarck, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,120 | $32.27 | $55,999 | $4,667 |
| 25th percentile | $69,400 | $33.37 | $57,559 | $4,797 |
| Median (50th) | $81,120 | $39.00 | $65,575 | $5,465 |
| 75th percentile | $83,420 | $40.11 | $67,148 | $5,596 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $102,720 | $49.38 | $80,350 | $6,696 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $81,120 buys in Bismarck, ND
Prices in Bismarck, ND are 9.0% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 16% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median registered nurse's $65,575 take-home pay has the buying power of $72,042 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Bismarck, ND has 1.6× 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
Bismarck, ND ranks #195 of 370 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 | Santa Cruz, CA | $170,960 | $114,225 | $103,939 |
| 7 | Yuba City, CA | $149,320 | $101,728 | $97,597 |
| 8 | Olympia, WA | $125,020 | $96,717 | $93,293 |
| 195 | Bismarck, ND | $81,120 | $65,575 | $72,042 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 370 metros →
Registered Nurse salaries elsewhere in North Dakota
- Minot, ND — $80,490
- Grand Forks, ND — $79,070
- Fargo, ND — $82,120
Frequently asked questions
How much does a registered nurse make in Bismarck, ND?
The median registered nurse salary in the Bismarck, ND metro area is $81,120 a year, or about $39.00 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $69,400 and $83,420.
What is a registered nurse’s take-home pay in Bismarck, ND?
On the median $81,120 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $65,575 a year ($5,465 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $323 in North Dakota taxes in 2026.
Is Bismarck, ND a good place to work as a registered nurse?
Pay here is 17% below the national median of $97,550. Local prices are 9.0% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $72,042 would in a typical U.S. city. Bismarck, ND ranks #195 of 370 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a registered nurse afford rent in Bismarck, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Bismarck, ND is $1,030 a month ($1,175 for two bedrooms) — 19% of a median registered nurse’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.