Top Paying Jobs in North Dakota
North Dakota has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 54,410 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Surgeons, All Other ($604,890), Radiologists ($553,140), Physicians, All Other ($454,550). The cost of living index is 88.89 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,034/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$134K
Avg. median salary
88.89
Cost of living index
$1,034
Median 2BR rent
783,926
Population
Highest paying careers in North Dakota
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Management | $102K | $48.84/hr |
| 62 | Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | Healthcare | $101K | $48.67/hr |
| 63 | Labor Relations Specialists | Business & Finance | $101K | $48.66/hr |
| 64 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Education | $101K | N/A |
| 65 | Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers | Management | $101K | $48.42/hr |
| 66 | Engineers, All Other | Engineering | $100K | $48.2/hr |
| 67 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | Repair & Maintenance | $99K | $47.45/hr |
| 68 | First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | Public Safety | $98K | $47.26/hr |
| 69 | Civil Engineers | Engineering | $98K | $47.21/hr |
| 70 | General and Operations Managers | Management | $98K | $47.2/hr |
Affordability snapshot: North Dakota
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-11.1% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,034/mo
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Metro areas in North Dakota
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Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
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Calculate take-home pay in North Dakota
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in North Dakota?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in North Dakota?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data