Nurse Anesthetists (CRNA) Salary

Dickinson vs Fargo: Nurse Anesthetist Salary (2026)

Compare nurse anesthetist salaries between Dickinson, ND and Fargo, ND. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dickinson, ND
$223,898
$107.64/hr
Fargo, ND
$254,184
$122.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDickinson, NDFargo, ND
Median Salary$223,898$254,184
Hourly Rate$107.64$122.20
Entry Level (P10)$145,807$198,733
25th Percentile$192,936$254,184
75th Percentile$267,924$275,782
Top Earner (P90)$320,389$301,409
Total Employed4160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dickinson ($223,898) and Fargo ($254,184) nurse anesthetist salaries.DickinsonFargoMedian Salary$223,898$254,184Entry Level (P10)$145,807$198,733Top Earner (P90)$320,389$301,409US Median $248,893

Verdict

Fargo, ND offers better overall compensation for nurse anesthetists, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Dickinson.

The salary gap between Dickinson and Fargo is $30,286 (13.53%). Fargo's median is +2.13% compared to the US national median of $248,893.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dickinson spans $174,582,Fargo spans $102,676. Dickinson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dickinson
P10 (Entry)$145,807
P25$192,936
Median$223,898
P75$267,924
P90 (Top)$320,389
Fargo
P10 (Entry)$198,733
P25$254,184
Median$254,184
P75$275,782
P90 (Top)$301,409

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fargo ($279,720 effective) pays 14.94% more than Dickinson ($243,367 effective).

Dickinson
Nominal: $223,898
CoL Index: 92
Adjusted: $243,367
Fargo
Nominal: $254,184
CoL Index: 90.871
Adjusted: $279,720

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dickinson if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($320,389)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Fargo if…

  • Higher median salary ($254,184/year)
  • Larger job market (160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $279,720)
  • You prefer the North Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, nurse anesthetist salaries in Dickinson grew 7.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.5% growth in Fargo over the same period.

Dickinson, ND

+7.5%

$197,906 (2024) → $212,831 (2025)

Fargo, ND

+16.5%

$207,390 (2020) → $241,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays nurse anesthetists more: Dickinson or Fargo?

Fargo has a higher median nurse anesthetist salary at $254,184/year, compared to Dickinson at $223,898/year — a difference of $30,286 (13.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dickinson and Fargo?

Dickinson nurse anesthetists earn $107.64/hr while Fargo hygienists earn $122.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dickinson to Fargo as a nurse anesthetist?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dickinson and Fargo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dickinson = $243,367, Fargo = $279,720), job availability (4 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level nurse anesthetists earn in Dickinson vs Fargo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) nurse anesthetists earn $145,807 in Dickinson and $198,733 in Fargo. The Fargo area offers higher starting salaries.
AJ

Written by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA

Career Analyst

Alexandra Johnson has 10 years of experience as a nurse anesthetist. She specializes in anesthesia for orthopedic surgeries. She works in a regional medical center.

Clinically reviewed by Michael Lee, DNP, CRNAData verified by Fatima Ahmad, MSN, CRNA

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.20% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov