Jobs that actually got a raise in North Dakota

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average (2024), so a North Dakota salary is worth about 1.12× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in North Dakota.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in North Dakota

OccupationMedian, North Dakota · Real change since 2019

1Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials$63,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$26,900 – $91,040+52.2%+91.6% nominal
2Skincare Specialists$58,160
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,710 – $89,270+39.7%+75.9% nominal
3Structural Iron and Steel Workers$82,120
High school diploma or equivalent
$57,410 – $99,840+33.8%+68.5% nominal
4Medical Equipment Repairers$73,610
Associate's degree
$48,630 – $98,370+33.3%+67.9% nominal
5Waiters and Waitresses$30,890
No formal educational credential
$18,470 – $60,570+27.2%+60.1% nominal
6Computer Systems Analysts$105,470
Bachelor's degree
$77,770 – $130,730+26.4%+59.2% nominal
7Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products$102,720
Bachelor's degree
$60,010 – $160,000+25.8%+58.5% nominal
8Biological Technicians$55,330
Bachelor's degree
$44,950 – $69,150+24.6%+57.0% nominal
9Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians$77,740
Postsecondary nondegree award
$52,100 – $99,170+24.2%+56.4% nominal
10Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$90,380
High school diploma or equivalent
$50,440 – $123,880+22.1%+53.7% nominal
11Commercial Pilots$133,010
Postsecondary nondegree award
$65,630 – $237,050+21.2%+52.7% nominal
12Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and Gaugers$93,130
High school diploma or equivalent
$66,580 – $118,280+21.2%+52.7% nominal
13Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$47,390
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,710 – $58,620+20.5%+51.7% nominal
14Insulation Workers, Mechanical$58,140
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,920 – $74,550+19.3%+50.2% nominal
15Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$39,720
Associate's degree
$25,990 – $59,560+18.9%+49.8% nominal
16Miscellaneous Construction and Related Workers$66,450
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,850 – $105,180+18.5%+49.2% nominal
17Phlebotomists$47,430
Postsecondary nondegree award
$33,840 – $58,290+18.0%+48.6% nominal
18Residential Advisors$48,590
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,900 – $62,850+17.9%+48.4% nominal
19Sales and Related Workers, All Other$49,810
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,280 – $108,300+17.6%+48.1% nominal
20Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$74,490
Postsecondary nondegree award
$46,610 – $94,060+16.1%+46.1% nominal
21Food Preparation Workers$36,800
No formal educational credential
$28,400 – $43,840+16.0%+46.0% nominal
22Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$48,790
Associate's degree
$35,960 – $56,980+15.9%+45.9% nominal
23Wellhead Pumpers$79,820
High school diploma or equivalent
$61,530 – $98,570+15.9%+46.0% nominal
24Engineers, All Other$100,250
Bachelor's degree
$64,210 – $154,910+15.5%+45.5% nominal
25Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$47,780
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,590 – $62,260+15.2%+45.1% nominal
26Community and Social Service Specialists, All Other$63,490
Bachelor's degree
$46,180 – $95,090+14.7%+44.4% nominal
27Driver/Sales Workers$38,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$19,550 – $62,320+14.5%+44.2% nominal
28Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers$90,890
Postsecondary nondegree award
$58,280 – $103,150+13.8%+43.4% nominal
29Healthcare Support Workers, All Other$47,010
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,500 – $68,600+13.7%+43.2% nominal
30Animal Caretakers$34,040
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,960 – $62,170+13.6%+43.1% nominal
31Brickmasons and Blockmasons$79,940
High school diploma or equivalent
$51,640 – $91,750+13.1%+42.5% nominal
32Forest and Conservation Technicians$68,600
Associate's degree
$44,950 – $71,120+12.9%+42.1% nominal
33Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other$69,350
Associate's degree
$42,750 – $97,560+12.9%+42.2% nominal
34Riggers$77,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$65,210 – $169,480+12.8%+42.1% nominal
35Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$47,250
No formal educational credential
$31,250 – $47,250+12.8%+42.1% nominal
36Education Administrators, All Other$101,870
Bachelor's degree
$64,670 – $126,240+12.3%+41.4% nominal
37Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$37,160
High school diploma or equivalent
$33,800 – $46,830+12.0%+41.0% nominal
38Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers$48,870
High school diploma or equivalent
$36,240 – $77,210+11.8%+40.8% nominal
39Food Service Managers$72,210
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,050 – $101,660+11.6%+40.5% nominal
40Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,190
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,170 – $71,140+11.4%+40.3% nominal
41Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health$84,570
Bachelor's degree
$60,110 – $109,300+11.3%+40.2% nominal
42Counter and Rental Clerks$44,620
No formal educational credential
$28,690 – $73,680+11.1%+40.0% nominal
43Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity$48,890
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,040 – $56,840+11.1%+39.9% nominal
44Cargo and Freight Agents$54,230
High school diploma or equivalent
$38,530 – $98,960+11.0%+39.8% nominal
45Bartenders$29,040
No formal educational credential
$18,850 – $57,050+10.9%+39.7% nominal
46Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$59,000
No formal educational credential
$41,690 – $71,330+10.6%+39.3% nominal
47Respiratory Therapists$81,230
Associate's degree
$65,770 – $100,490+10.4%+39.0% nominal
48Food Batchmakers$40,840
High school diploma or equivalent
$35,180 – $51,840+10.4%+39.0% nominal
49Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners$35,050
No formal educational credential
$29,520 – $44,650+10.4%+39.0% nominal
50Paralegals and Legal Assistants$59,430
Associate's degree
$45,300 – $78,430+10.3%+38.9% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianNorth Dakota	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports OfficialsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$63,920	$26,900 – $91,040	+52.2%+91.6% nominal
2	Skincare SpecialistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$58,160	$35,710 – $89,270	+39.7%+75.9% nominal
3	Structural Iron and Steel WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$82,120	$57,410 – $99,840	+33.8%+68.5% nominal
4	Medical Equipment RepairersAssociate's degree	$73,610	$48,630 – $98,370	+33.3%+67.9% nominal
5	Waiters and WaitressesNo formal educational credential	$30,890	$18,470 – $60,570	+27.2%+60.1% nominal
6	Computer Systems AnalystsBachelor's degree	$105,470	$77,770 – $130,730	+26.4%+59.2% nominal
7	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific ProductsBachelor's degree	$102,720	$60,010 – $160,000	+25.8%+58.5% nominal
8	Biological TechniciansBachelor's degree	$55,330	$44,950 – $69,150	+24.6%+57.0% nominal
9	Aircraft Mechanics and Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$77,740	$52,100 – $99,170	+24.2%+56.4% nominal
10	Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface MiningHigh school diploma or equivalent	$90,380	$50,440 – $123,880	+22.1%+53.7% nominal
11	Commercial PilotsPostsecondary nondegree award	$133,010	$65,630 – $237,050	+21.2%+52.7% nominal
12	Petroleum Pump System Operators, Refinery Operators, and GaugersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$93,130	$66,580 – $118,280	+21.2%+52.7% nominal
13	Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,390	$38,710 – $58,620	+20.5%+51.7% nominal
14	Insulation Workers, MechanicalHigh school diploma or equivalent	$58,140	$46,920 – $74,550	+19.3%+50.2% nominal
15	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$39,720	$25,990 – $59,560	+18.9%+49.8% nominal
16	Miscellaneous Construction and Related WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$66,450	$46,850 – $105,180	+18.5%+49.2% nominal
17	PhlebotomistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$47,430	$33,840 – $58,290	+18.0%+48.6% nominal
18	Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,590	$35,900 – $62,850	+17.9%+48.4% nominal
19	Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,810	$29,280 – $108,300	+17.6%+48.1% nominal
20	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$74,490	$46,610 – $94,060	+16.1%+46.1% nominal
21	Food Preparation WorkersNo formal educational credential	$36,800	$28,400 – $43,840	+16.0%+46.0% nominal
22	Veterinary Technologists and TechniciansAssociate's degree	$48,790	$35,960 – $56,980	+15.9%+45.9% nominal
23	Wellhead PumpersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$79,820	$61,530 – $98,570	+15.9%+46.0% nominal
24	Engineers, All OtherBachelor's degree	$100,250	$64,210 – $154,910	+15.5%+45.5% nominal
25	Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,780	$40,590 – $62,260	+15.2%+45.1% nominal
26	Community and Social Service Specialists, All OtherBachelor's degree	$63,490	$46,180 – $95,090	+14.7%+44.4% nominal
27	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,610	$19,550 – $62,320	+14.5%+44.2% nominal
28	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award	$90,890	$58,280 – $103,150	+13.8%+43.4% nominal
29	Healthcare Support Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$47,010	$34,500 – $68,600	+13.7%+43.2% nominal
30	Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,040	$29,960 – $62,170	+13.6%+43.1% nominal
31	Brickmasons and BlockmasonsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$79,940	$51,640 – $91,750	+13.1%+42.5% nominal
32	Forest and Conservation TechniciansAssociate's degree	$68,600	$44,950 – $71,120	+12.9%+42.1% nominal
33	Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All OtherAssociate's degree	$69,350	$42,750 – $97,560	+12.9%+42.2% nominal
34	RiggersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$77,890	$65,210 – $169,480	+12.8%+42.1% nominal
35	Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersNo formal educational credential	$47,250	$31,250 – $47,250	+12.8%+42.1% nominal
36	Education Administrators, All OtherBachelor's degree	$101,870	$64,670 – $126,240	+12.3%+41.4% nominal
37	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,160	$33,800 – $46,830	+12.0%+41.0% nominal
38	Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,870	$36,240 – $77,210	+11.8%+40.8% nominal
39	Food Service ManagersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$72,210	$37,050 – $101,660	+11.6%+40.5% nominal
40	Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,190	$38,170 – $71,140	+11.4%+40.3% nominal
41	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including HealthBachelor's degree	$84,570	$60,110 – $109,300	+11.3%+40.2% nominal
42	Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential	$44,620	$28,690 – $73,680	+11.1%+40.0% nominal
43	Bus Drivers, Transit and IntercityHigh school diploma or equivalent	$48,890	$39,040 – $56,840	+11.1%+39.9% nominal
44	Cargo and Freight AgentsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$54,230	$38,530 – $98,960	+11.0%+39.8% nominal
45	BartendersNo formal educational credential	$29,040	$18,850 – $57,050	+10.9%+39.7% nominal
46	Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsNo formal educational credential	$59,000	$41,690 – $71,330	+10.6%+39.3% nominal
47	Respiratory TherapistsAssociate's degree	$81,230	$65,770 – $100,490	+10.4%+39.0% nominal
48	Food BatchmakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,840	$35,180 – $51,840	+10.4%+39.0% nominal
49	Maids and Housekeeping CleanersNo formal educational credential	$35,050	$29,520 – $44,650	+10.4%+39.0% nominal
50	Paralegals and Legal AssistantsAssociate's degree	$59,430	$45,300 – $78,430	+10.3%+38.9% nominal

More for North Dakota

Metro areas in North Dakota

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in North Dakota

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in North Dakota to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in North Dakota

More for North Dakota

Metro areas in North Dakota

By field in North Dakota

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state