SOC 15-1252 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Developers — North Dakota
North Dakota · 4 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in North Dakota is $105,600 a year, trailing the national median of $135,980 by 22.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in North Dakota is $105,600 a year, trailing the national median of $135,980 by 22.3%. Half of workers earn between $78,870 and $126,510. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $62,900 and the ninetieth at $158,060.
The area has 1,450 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 3.4 of every thousand jobs. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, North Dakota ranks 46th by median wage. 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 55th of 556 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,900 | −53.7% |
| 25th | $78,870 | −42.0% |
| Median (50th) | $105,600 | −22.3% |
| 75th | $126,510 | −7.0% |
| 90th | $158,060 | +16.2% |
| Mean | $107,000 | −21.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in North Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minot | $108,470 | 50 | |
| 2 | Bismarck | $106,020 | 390 | |
| 3 | Fargo | $105,980 | 860 | |
| 4 | Grand Forks | $92,120 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in North Dakota run 11.0% below the national average, so the median of $105,600 goes as far as $118,652 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.7% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$105,600as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$118,652US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $105,600 a year, 22.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,900 to $158,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,450 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 50 states for 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 North Dakota?
The median annual wage is $105,600, or $50.77 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 North Dakota is 22.3% 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 $158,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,900 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 1,450 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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