Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in North Dakota make a median of $92,280 a year, or about $44.37 an hour. The range runs from $60K at the entry level to $139K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.89), which stretches that salary to about $103,814 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,034/month, or 17.4% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across North Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
Where the paycheck goes
What $92K actually covers in North Dakota, month by month
About computer programmers
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in North Dakota
Computer programmers pay in North Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $92K locally vs. $100K nationwide, a 8% difference. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,034/month, 17.4% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. 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 computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $60K. Mid-career wages sit at $92K. Top earners bring in $139K or more, a $79K spread from bottom to top.
Computer Programmers salary by metro in North Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $92K | +0% | 100 |
| Bismarck | $83K | -10% | 60 |
Compare to other states
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data annually. We'll email you when North Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Technology
Quick answers
The stuff people actually ask about this job
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in North Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $92K, rent takes 17.4% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,034/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in North Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $60K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $4,059/month. At HUD’s $1,034/month FMR, rent would take 25% of that take-home — manageable on an entry-level income.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in North Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $92K locally vs. $100K nationally, a 8% difference.
How does North Dakota compare to the national average for computer programmers?
North Dakota pays $92K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -8%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 88.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $104K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in North Dakota?
The median is $92,280 a year, that works out to about $44 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $59,530, and experienced computer programmers can clear $138,960. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $92K enough to live in North Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,959/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,034/month, which eats 17.4% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer programmers 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 computer programmers salary is worth about $103,814 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers 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.