SOC 19-3099 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other — North Dakota
North Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Dakota is $76,400 a year, trailing the national median of $101,110 by 24.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Dakota is $76,400 a year, trailing the national median of $101,110 by 24.4%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $47,610 and $91,170. The lowest tenth earn under $42,630, while the highest tenth earn more than $103,380.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.3 of every thousand jobs. North Dakota ranks number 48th out of 49 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Grand Forks records the highest median at $78,850. Of the 556 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 158th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,630 | −57.8% |
| 25th | $47,610 | −52.9% |
| Median (50th) | $76,400 | −24.4% |
| 75th | $91,170 | −9.8% |
| 90th | $103,380 | +2.2% |
| Mean | $74,020 | −26.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks | $78,850 | 30 | |
| 2 | Fargo | $64,110 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $76,400 goes as far as $85,843 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 15.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$76,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$85,843US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $76,400 a year, 24.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $42,630 to $103,380 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 48th of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Grand Forks, at $78,850.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other in North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $76,400, or $36.73 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $101,110, so pay in North Dakota is 24.4% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in North Dakota earns more than $103,380 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $42,630 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Grand Forks, at $78,850 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in North Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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