Nurse Anesthetist Salary in North Dakota: $250,063 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median nurse anesthetist pay sits at $250,063/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1151. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $271,808 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Forks ($254,410), Fargo ($241,620), Bismarck ($214,547).
In 2026, the average median salary for nurse anesthetists in North Dakota is projected to be $250,064, slightly above the national median of $248,893, reflecting a 0.5% advantage. The highest paying city is Grand Forks, where salaries are anticipated to reach $267,639, while Mandan has the lowest salary at $214,012. This $53,627 salary gap can largely be attributed to the variation in demand, cost of living, and local healthcare infrastructure across different regions in the state. North Dakota's licensing requirements for nurse anesthetists necessitate a master's degree and national certification, aligning with national standards. Scope of practice laws permit nurse anesthetists to function autonomously in a variety of clinical settings, which is essential for enhancing their earning potential. The demand for their services is driven by an aging population and an increase in surgical procedures, leading to a projected annual growth rate of 5.20% in job opportunities based on recent data. Currently, there are approximately 250 nurse anesthetists employed across the state, with the top cities for employment projecting salaries of $254,184 in Fargo, $225,703 in Bismarck, $225,035 in West Fargo, and $224,876 in Minot. Overall, the job market for nurse anesthetists in North Dakota shows promising strength and a positive outlook for future growth.
North Dakota Nurse Anesthetist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $145,807 (lowest entry-level) to $329,255 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota nurse anesthetists earn 0.47% more than the national median (+$1,170/year difference).
North Dakota Nurse Anesthetist Salary Distribution (2026)
Nurse Anesthetist salaries in North Dakota range from $197,440 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $307,795 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $250,063. The North Dakota median is $1,170 above the US national median of $248,893. The average hourly rate is $120.22/hr. Approximately 250 nurse anesthetists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$187,900
2025 BLS Actual
$237,703
2026 Current Est.
$250,063
2019–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $187,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $207,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $196,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $227,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $213,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $227,523 | Actual |
| 2025 | $237,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $250,063 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $263,066 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 26.5% from $187,900 (2019) to $237,703 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $263,066 by 2027 — a total increase of $75,166 (40.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.20% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $214,012 |
| Williston | $218,496 |
| Dickinson | $223,898 |
| Minot | $224,876 |
| West Fargo | $225,035 |
Best Value Cities for Nurse Anesthetists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for nurse anesthetists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $267,639 | 86.663 | $308,827 |
| Fargo | $254,184 | 90.871 | $279,720 |
| Bismarck | $225,703 | 92 | $245,329 |
| West Fargo | $225,035 | 92 | $244,603 |
| Minot | $224,876 | 92 | $244,430 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $197,440 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $250,063 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $307,795 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Forks | $267,639 |
| 2 | Fargo | $254,184 |
| 3 | Bismarck | $225,703 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $225,035 |
| 5 | Minot | $224,876 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $223,898 |
| 7 | Williston | $218,496 |
| 8 | Mandan | $214,012 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore nurse anesthetist hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced nurse anesthetists.
Explore More Nurse Anesthetist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
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How does North Dakota nurse anesthetist pay compare to the national average?
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Which North Dakota city offers the best value for nurse anesthetists?
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.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 nurse anesthetist compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more nurse anesthetistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 5-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.20%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse anesthetists (SOC 29-1151).
Compiled and verified by Alexandra Johnson, MSN, CRNA, a licensed nurse anesthetist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov