SOC 15-1252 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Developers — Bismarck
Bismarck, ND · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Bismarck, ND is $106,020 a year, trailing the national median of $135,980 by 22.0%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Bismarck, ND is $106,020 a year, trailing the national median of $135,980 by 22.0%. Half of workers earn between $90,650 and $126,510. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $75,970 and the ninetieth at $136,750.
The area has 390 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 5.5 of every thousand jobs. Minot leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $108,470. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 28th of 296 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $75,970 | −44.1% |
| 25th | $90,650 | −33.3% |
| Median (50th) | $106,020 | −22.0% |
| 75th | $126,510 | −7.0% |
| 90th | $136,750 | +0.6% |
| Mean | $109,360 | −19.6% |
Other metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot | $108,470 | 50 | |
| 2 | Fargo | $105,980 | 860 | |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $92,120 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Bismarck run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $106,020 goes as far as $119,124 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$106,020as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$119,124US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $106,020 a year, 22.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $75,970 to $136,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 390 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Minot, at $108,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Software Developers in Bismarck, ND?
The median annual wage is $106,020, or $50.97 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 $135,980, so pay in Bismarck, ND is 22.0% 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 Bismarck, ND earns more than $136,750 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $75,970 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 Minot, at $108,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 390 jobs in this occupation in Bismarck, ND. 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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