Software Developer Salary in Fargo, ND
Software Developers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $105,980 a year — 22% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $82,580 take-home, or $6,882 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median software developer salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$14,486
- Social Security (6.2%)$6,571
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,537
- North Dakota income tax$807
- Take-home pay$82,580
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.
Software Developer pay by experience in Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,300 | $28.99 | $50,631 | $4,219 |
| 25th percentile | $78,870 | $37.92 | $64,036 | $5,336 |
| Median (50th) | $105,980 | $50.95 | $82,580 | $6,882 |
| 75th percentile | $127,960 | $61.52 | $97,491 | $8,124 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $160,480 | $77.15 | $119,084 | $9,924 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $105,980 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 software developer's $82,580 take-home pay has the buying power of $90,876 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Software Developer jobs are less concentrated in Fargo, ND than nationally (location quotient 0.53), so openings may be scarcer.
Best-paying cities for software developers, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #126 of 184 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Jose, CA | $213,110 | $140,222 | $126,987 |
| 2 | Manchester, NH | $162,090 | $122,055 | $115,520 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $167,280 | $125,602 | $113,019 |
| 4 | Boulder, CO | $164,560 | $117,211 | $111,415 |
| 5 | El Paso, TX | $127,310 | $98,282 | $109,310 |
| 6 | Boston, MA | $166,090 | $116,704 | $107,794 |
| 7 | Ames, IA | $129,440 | $95,471 | $107,476 |
| 8 | Bridgeport, CT | $162,650 | $114,828 | $107,453 |
| 126 | Fargo, ND | $105,980 | $82,580 | $90,876 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 184 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a software developer make in Fargo, ND?
The median software developer salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $105,980 a year, or about $50.95 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $78,870 and $127,960.
What is a software developer’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $105,980 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $82,580 a year ($6,882 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $807 in North Dakota taxes in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a software developer?
Pay here is 22% below the national median of $135,980. Local prices are 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $90,876 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #126 of 184 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a software developer 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) — 13% of a median software developer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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