How Much Does a CNA Make in North Dakota in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in North Dakota, from federal wage data (May 2025), with pay by city, the ten-year trend, and how the state compares.
BLS OES May 2025 · North Dakota · typical annual pay from the lowest-paid tenth to the highest-paid tenth
A typical CNA in North Dakota earns about $22.03 per hour ($45,820 per year), according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is 8% above the national figure of $42,260 a year.
North Dakota ranks 16th out of 51 states and territories for CNA pay. Around 6,840 CNAs work across the state, a modest workforce that still commands pay above the national line.
How much does a CNA make in North Dakota?
CNA pay by career stage in North Dakota
| Career stage | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $35,130$16.89 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,410$17.51 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $45,820$22.03 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $47,950$23.06 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $51,380$24.70 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · starting out is the 10th percentile, first years the 25th, typical the median, experienced the 75th, top 10% the 90th
CNA pay growth in North Dakota
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in North Dakota · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
North Dakota CNA pay has climbed steadily over the past decade. In 2015, the typical CNA earned $29,070 a year; by 2025, that figure reached $45,820, a 58% rise, adding $16,750 to the typical paycheck.
Nationally, CNA pay rose 64% over the same stretch, so North Dakota's climb ran a bit slower than the national pace. Pay in this field has been moving up year over year for someone starting out now, though no trend is guaranteed to continue.
CNA salary by city in North Dakota
Pay varies by metro area within North Dakota. Bismarck leads at $46,720 a year ($22.46 an hour), with Grand Forks close behind at $45,740. Fargo and Minot trail, at $39,940 and $36,500.
The gap between the highest-paying and lowest-paying metro area comes to $10,220 a year. These figures cover each city's full metro area, and a higher paycheck in a city like Bismarck often lines up with a higher cost of living there.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs North Dakota | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $46,720 | $22.46 | +2% | 1,430 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $45,740 | $21.99 | 0% | 930 |
| 3 | Fargo | $39,940 | $19.20 | -13% | 2,240 |
| 4 | Minot | $36,500 | $17.55 | -20% | 430 |
Each row is one BLS metro area; cities that share a metro share its figures · BLS OES May 2025 · North Dakota typical pay $45,820
How North Dakota compares with nearby states
Among neighboring states, Minnesota pays CNAs the most, at $46,680 a year, about 2% above North Dakota. Montana and South Dakota both pay less, at $40,900 and $38,800, running 11% and 15% below North Dakota respectively. A CNA licensed in one state can often test or transfer into a nearby one, so nearby pay is worth knowing.
| State | Typical pay | Vs North Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | $45,820 | baseline |
| Minnesota | $46,680 | +2% |
| Montana | $40,900 | -11% |
| South Dakota | $38,800 | -15% |
Bordering states, ranked by typical CNA pay · BLS OES May 2025
Is North Dakota a good state for CNAs?
CNAs in North Dakota earn a competitive wage: typical pay is $45,820 a year, 8% above the national figure, ranking 16th of 51. For every 1,000 jobs in North Dakota, about 16 are CNA positions; nationally, the figure is closer to 9.3. That makes the local economy more reliant on CNAs than most places, and turnover keeps positions opening through the year. Taken together, North Dakota is one of the better-paying states for CNAs.
Summary
CNA pay in North Dakota now stands at about $45,820 a year ($22.03 an hour), up 58% over the past decade. That puts the state 16th nationally and 8% above the national figure. For certification requirements, check North Dakota's state registry page; for local detail, see the city pages for Bismarck, Grand Forks, Fargo, and Minot.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in North Dakota?
- A typical CNA in North Dakota earns about $22.03 an hour, or $45,820 a year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That is 8% above the national figure of $42,260 a year, and the state ranks 16th out of 51 for CNA pay.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in North Dakota?
- CNAs in North Dakota earn about $22.03 an hour typically. Entry-level positions typically offer around $16.89 an hour, while experienced CNAs often earn upwards of $24.70 an hour, based on May 2025 wage data.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in North Dakota?
- Entry-level CNAs in North Dakota typically start around $16.89 an hour, or about $35,130 a year. As experience builds, pay moves toward $36,410 a year and beyond, with typical pay across the state reaching $45,820 a year, according to May 2025 wage data.
- Which city in North Dakota pays CNAs the most?
- Bismarck pays CNAs the most in North Dakota, with typical pay of $46,720 a year ($22.46 an hour). Grand Forks follows closely at $45,740 a year. Fargo and Minot pay less, with Minot the lowest at $36,500 a year, according to May 2025 wage data.
- Is CNA pay in North Dakota higher than the national rate?
- Yes. North Dakota's typical CNA pay of $45,820 a year runs about 8% above the national figure of $42,260, according to May 2025 wage data. The state ranks 16th out of 51 for CNA pay, with pay in cities like Bismarck running well above the national line.