Agricultural Equipment Operators Salary
The median pay for a agricultural equipment operators in North Dakota is $48,080/year ($23.11/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $61K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $54,089 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,034/month, about 31% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $48K get you in North Dakota?
About agricultural equipment operators
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Dakota
North Dakota sits well above the national pay line for agricultural equipment operators, local pay runs about 15% higher than the U.S. median of $42K. Rent runs $1,034/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 31.2% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 88.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 11% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, North Dakota
Entry-level agricultural equipment operators (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $48K. Top earners bring in $61K or more, a $22K spread from bottom to top.
Agricultural Equipment Operators salary by metro in North Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $49K | +1% | 70 |
| Grand Forks | $48K | -0% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track agricultural equipment operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Farming & Fishing
Frequently asked questions
Can a agricultural equipment operator afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $48K, rent takes 31.2% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $1,000/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for agricultural equipment operators in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new agricultural equipment operators typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,341/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 44% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is agricultural equipment operator a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Local pay is 15% above the national median — $48K here vs. $42K nationally.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for agricultural equipment operators?
North Dakota pays $48K median vs. the U.S. average of $42K — that’s +15%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do agricultural equipment operators make in North Dakota?
The median is $48,080 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,020, and experienced agricultural equipment operators can clear $60,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $48K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,311/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 31.2% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a agricultural equipment operators salary go in North Dakota?
North Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 88.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median agricultural equipment operators salary is worth about $54,089 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do agricultural equipment operators get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.