Nurse Anesthetist Salary in Fargo, ND: $254,184 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time nurse anesthetist in Fargo, ND earns a median $254,184/year (≈ $122.20/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1151). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $279,720 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.0% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a 2026 median annual salary of $254,184, nurse anesthetists in Fargo, ND, find themselves in a favorable position compared to their national counterparts, where the median hovers around $248,893. The local salary spectrum ranges from $198,733 at the 10th percentile to $301,409 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a significant disparity based on factors such as experience, work setting, and call coverage commitments. These estimates are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, indicating a stable and growing market for this profession in Fargo. The ongoing demand for CRNAs in an environment emphasizing independent practice in opt-out states like North Dakota makes this a compelling locale for anesthesia professionals seeking both competitive compensation and quality of life.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $198,733 | $95.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $254,184 | $122.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $254,184 | $122.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $275,782 | $132.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $301,409 | $144.91 |
Median Salary Position
2.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the nurse anesthetist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $102,676 (2026 est.). At $254,184, the local median is 2.13% above the national median of $248,893.
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At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be above the median
How Fargo Nurse Anesthetist Pay Compares
Fargo median: $254,184/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $228,995 | +11.00% more |
| National Average | $248,893 | +2.13% more |
Nurse Anesthetists in Fargo, ND earn a median of $254,184 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.13% higher than the national median of $248,893 and 11.00% above the North Dakota state average of $228,995.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A nurse anesthetist earning $254,184 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $279,720 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$178,506
2025 BLS Actual
$241,620
2026 Current Est.
$254,184
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Anesthetists in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.20% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $178,506 | Actual |
| 2020 | $207,390 | Actual |
| 2021 | $199,769 | Actual |
| 2022 | $227,010 | Actual |
| 2023 | $217,171 | Actual |
| 2024 | $232,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $241,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $254,184 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $267,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median nurse anesthetist salary grew 35.4% from $178,506 (2019) to $241,620 (2025). At a 5.20% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $267,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $88,896 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $198,733 – $254,184 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $254,184 – $254,184 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $254,184 – $275,782 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $275,782 – $301,409 |
CRNA salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual nurse anesthetist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Nurse Anesthetist Job Market in Fargo
A closer examination of the Fargo job market reveals around 160 nurse anesthetists employed in various settings, with the local cost-of-living index at 90.871, indicating housing and day-to-day expenses are below national averages. This favorable index enhances the take-home purchasing power, allowing anesthetists to stretch their salaries further. Major employers in the region include hospital systems and CRNA-owned anesthesia group practices, which tend to offer higher pay scales, particularly for those on partnership tracks. The variation between low and high pay within the market often stems from differing call schedules—where a more demanding rotation might come with higher compensation—and additional incentives like weekend differentials and bonuses related to operational efficiencies. In this context, CRNAs can maximize their earnings potential by strategically considering job offers that include favorable call coverage agreements, profit-sharing arrangements, and opportunities for continued professional development in advanced practices.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $241,620 for nurse anesthetistsin the Fargo metropolitan area. A 5.20% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-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