Licensed Practical Nurse Salary in Fargo, ND: $65,851 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time licensed practical nurse in Fargo, ND earns a median $65,851/year (≈ $31.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2061). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $72,466 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, licensed practical nurses can expect a median annual salary of $65,851 in 2026, a figure slightly below the national median of $68,071. With salaries ranging from $53,125 at the 10th percentile to $76,633 at the 90th percentile, this city offers a competitive pay scale for LPNs. The differences in compensation reflect the state’s specific scope-of-practice rules, which allow LPNs to perform IV therapy and conduct assessments. Such duties can enhance job responsibilities and potentially lead to higher pay in settings like skilled nursing facilities and hospitals. The statistics are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrating the evolving landscape of practical nursing in the area and highlighting the need for skilled healthcare personnel.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,125 | $25.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,408 | $26.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,851 | $31.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,855 | $32.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,633 | $36.84 |
Median Salary Position
3.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the licensed practical nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,508 (2026 est.). At $65,851, the local median is 3.26% below the national median of $68,071.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be above the median
How Fargo Licensed Practical Nurse Pay Compares
Fargo median: $65,851/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $62,596 | +5.20% more |
| National Average | $68,071 | -3.26% less |
Licensed Practical Nurses in Fargo, ND earn a median of $65,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.26% lower than the national median of $68,071 and 5.20% above the North Dakota state average of $62,596.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A licensed practical nurse earning $65,851 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,466 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,740
2025 BLS Actual
$62,300
2026 Current Est.
$65,851
2019–2027 Growth
+55.6%
Salary Trajectory for Licensed Practical Nurses in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.70% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,851 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median licensed practical nurse salary grew 39.2% from $44,740 (2019) to $62,300 (2025). At a 5.70% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,865 (55.58%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $53,125 – $55,408 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,408 – $65,851 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,851 – $66,855 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,855 – $76,633 |
LPN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual licensed practical nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Licensed Practical Nurse Job Market in Fargo
Fargo’s job market for licensed practical nurses is robust, with approximately 770 LPNs currently employed. The city’s cost of living index, standing at 90.871, indicates that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing take-home purchasing power for healthcare professionals. Among the highest-paying employers are skilled nursing facilities and hospitals, positioned to offer better compensation due to the level of care required. The variance in pay can largely be attributed to the employment setting, with skilled nursing typically offering higher wages compared to home health or physician offices. Additional factors such as shift differentials, stipends for IV therapy certification, and holiday pay can further influence earnings. To maximize income potential in Fargo, LPNs should consider pursuing opportunities in higher-paying environments, acquiring specialty certifications, and remaining flexible regarding shifts and hours.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do licensed practical nurses make in Fargo, ND in 2026?
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a licensed practical nurse?
Can licensed practical nurses make $100K in Fargo?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted licensed practical nurse salary in Fargo?
How much does a licensed practical nurse make per hour in Fargo?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,300 for licensed practical nursesin the Fargo metropolitan area. A 5.70% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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