Registered Nurse Salary in Bismarck, ND: $85,427 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time registered nurse in Bismarck, ND earns a median $85,427/year (≈ $41.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1141). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $93,851 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bismarck, North Dakota, the registered nurse salary landscape reflects a notable distinction in pay structures, particularly between staff and travel nurses. According to 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the median registered nurse salary in Bismarck is projected at $85,427, which is lower than the national median of $102,730 by approximately 16.84%. The salary range for registered nurses in this area spans from $70,684 at the 10th percentile to $108,174 at the 90th percentile. This pay structure indicates a substantial earning potential for nurses who obtain additional certifications or work in high-demand specialties, demonstrating the evolving demands and compensation trends in the healthcare field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $70,684 | $33.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,085 | $35.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $85,427 | $41.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,850 | $42.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,174 | $52.01 |
Median Salary Position
16.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the registered nurse salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,490 (2026 est.). At $85,427, the local median is 16.84% below the national median of $102,730.
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At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Registered Nurse Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $85,427/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $94,499 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $102,730 | -16.84% less |
Registered Nurses in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $85,427 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.84% lower than the national median of $102,730 and 9.60% below the North Dakota state average of $94,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A registered nurse earning $85,427 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $93,851 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,890
2025 BLS Actual
$81,120
2026 Current Est.
$85,427
2019–2027 Growth
+45.4%
Salary Trajectory for Registered Nurses in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.31% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,220 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,190 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,427 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $89,964 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median registered nurse salary grew 31.1% from $61,890 (2019) to $81,120 (2025). At a 5.31% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $89,964 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,074 (45.36%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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 5.31% 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) | $70,684 – $73,085 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,085 – $85,427 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $85,427 – $87,850 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,850 – $108,174 |
RN salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual registered nurse compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Registered Nurse Job Market in Bismarck
Bismarck's healthcare market currently employs about 2,400 registered nurses, offering various opportunities across different settings, including acute care hospitals and specialty clinics. The cost of living in Bismarck, represented by a CoL index of 91.024, suggests that while the salaries may fall below national averages, the affordability of housing and basic needs can enhance take-home purchasing power for healthcare professionals. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include major hospital systems, particularly those with magnet status that encourage BSN-prepared nurses and specialty certifications. The pay disparity in this market can also be attributed to shift differentials, which often add $3-$7 per hour for night shifts and weekends. To maximize earnings in Bismarck, registered nurses should consider pursuing specialties that are in high demand, remain flexible with shift work, and seek hospitals that value specialty certifications and additional responsibilities.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has 10 years of experience as a registered nurse. Their specialty is pediatric nursing in a community hospital. They analyze nursing workforce trends and salary data.
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 $81,120 for registered nursesin the Bismarck metropolitan area. A 5.31% 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, 7-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 5.31%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for registered nurses (SOC 29-1141).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, RN, BSN, a licensed registered nurse with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov