Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in North Dakota: $65,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median licensed practical nurse pay sits at $65,169/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2061. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $70,836 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($62,300), Bismarck ($61,690), Minot ($61,110).
In 2026, the average median salary for licensed practical nurses (LPNs) in North Dakota is projected to be $65,169, which is slightly lower than the national median of $68,071, reflecting a difference of 4.3%. The highest-paying city in the state is Fargo, with an average salary of $65,851, while Mandan ranks lowest at $58,531, creating a salary gap of $7,320. This difference can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for healthcare services, and the concentration of healthcare facilities in urban areas like Fargo. North Dakota requires LPNs to obtain state licensure, which includes passing the NCLEX-PN exam. The state's scope of practice laws allow LPNs to perform a variety of nursing tasks under supervision, contributing to their integral role in healthcare settings. Factors driving demand for LPNs in North Dakota include an aging population and an expanding healthcare network, particularly in metropolitan areas. The job market for LPNs shows a positive outlook, with a projected annual growth rate of 5.70% from the previous year, indicating increasing opportunities in the field. With a total of 1,477 LPNs employed statewide, there is a consistent need for qualified professionals to meet healthcare demands across North Dakota.
North Dakota Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $47,211 (lowest entry-level) to $80,326 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota licensed practical nurses earn 4.26% less than the national median ($-2,902/year difference).
North Dakota Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Distribution (2026)
Licensed Practical Nurse salaries in North Dakota range from $53,181 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,802 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,169. The North Dakota median is $2,902 below the US national median of $68,071. The average hourly rate is $31.33/hr. Approximately 1,477 licensed practical nurses are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,910
2025 BLS Actual
$61,655
2026 Current Est.
$65,169
2019–2027 Growth
+50.0%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,284 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,292 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,123 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,655 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 34.3% from $45,910 (2019) to $61,655 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,974 (50.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.70% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $58,531 |
| Williston | $59,757 |
| Dickinson | $61,235 |
| West Fargo | $61,546 |
| Grand Forks | $63,948 |
Best Value Cities for Licensed Practical Nurses in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for licensed practical nurses.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot | $64,593 | 87.028 | $74,221 |
| Grand Forks | $63,948 | 86.663 | $73,789 |
| Fargo | $65,851 | 90.871 | $72,466 |
| Bismarck | $65,206 | 91.024 | $71,636 |
| West Fargo | $61,546 | 92 | $66,898 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,181 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,169 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $77,802 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $65,851 |
| 2 | Bismarck | $65,206 |
| 3 | Minot | $64,593 |
| 4 | Grand Forks | $63,948 |
| 5 | West Fargo | $61,546 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $61,235 |
| 7 | Williston | $59,757 |
| 8 | Mandan | $58,531 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore licensed practical nurse hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced licensed practical nurses.
Explore More Licensed Practical Nurse Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in North Dakota in 2026?
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How does North Dakota licensed practical nurse pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level licensed practical nurse salary in North Dakota?
How many licensed practical nurses are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for licensed practical nurses?
Written by Aisha Malik, LPN
Career Analyst
Aisha has 10 years of experience as a licensed practical nurse. She specializes in pediatric nursing. Aisha has worked in various outpatient clinics.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 licensed practical nurse compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more licensed practical nursescontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for licensed practical nurses (SOC 29-2061).
Compiled and verified by Aisha Malik, LPN, a licensed licensed practical nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov