How Much Does a CNA Make in Fargo, ND in 2026?
Typical pay for CNAs in Fargo, from federal wage data (May 2025), with the ten-year trend and how the city compares across North Dakota.
BLS OES May 2025 · Fargo metro area
A typical CNA in Fargo, North Dakota earns $19.20 per hour, or $39,940 per year, according to the latest government wage data for the area (May 2025). Calculated from the annual figure, that is roughly $3,328 a month. Entry-level positions typically offer around $33,050, and the top 10% of earners make over $50,800.
That pay is 13% below the North Dakota figure of $45,820 and 5% below the national figure of $42,260. Fargo ranks 3rd of 4 metro areas in North Dakota for CNA pay. About 2,240 CNAs work in the Fargo area.
CNA pay in Fargo at a glance
- Typical pay is $19.20 an hour, or $39,940 a year.
- That is 13% below the North Dakota figure, ranking 3rd of 4 metro areas in the state.
- Entry-level positions typically offer around $33,050; the top 10% make over $50,800.
- Typical pay rose +43% from 2015 to 2025, against +58% for North Dakota as a whole.
BLS OES May 2025
How much does a CNA make in Fargo?
Pay in Fargo runs from entry-level positions at around $15.89 an hour to more than $24.42 for the top 10% of earners. The table sets each career stage against the North Dakota and national figures.
CNA pay by career stage in Fargo
| Career stage | Fargo | North Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting out | $33,050$15.89 an hour | $35,130$16.89 an hour | $33,940$16.32 an hour |
| First years | $36,230$17.42 an hour | $36,410$17.51 an hour | $37,260$17.91 an hour |
| Typical CNA | $39,940$19.20 an hour | $45,820$22.03 an hour | $42,260$20.32 an hour |
| Experienced | $47,910$23.04 an hour | $47,950$23.06 an hour | $47,220$22.70 an hour |
| Top 10% | $50,800$24.42 an hour | $51,380$24.70 an hour | $51,980$24.99 an hour |
BLS OES May 2025 · city figures cover the Fargo area as BLS defines it
CNA pay growth in Fargo
Typical (median) annual wage for CNAs in the Fargo area · BLS OES May estimates, 2015 to 2025 · hover a bar for the year-over-year change
In 2015, typical CNA pay in Fargo was $28,020 a year. By 2025 it had reached $39,940, a change of +43%, compared with +58% for North Dakota over the same years.
How Fargo compares with other North Dakota cities
Bismarck pays CNAs the most in North Dakota at $46,720 a year, $6,780 more than Fargo. The lowest-paying area in the state is Minot at $36,500.
| # | City | Typical pay | Hourly | Vs Fargo | CNAs employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $46,720 | $22.46 | +17% | 1,430 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $45,740 | $21.99 | +15% | 930 |
| 3 | Fargo | $39,940 | $19.20 | this city | 2,240 |
| 4 | Minot | $36,500 | $17.55 | -9% | 430 |
Every metro area in North Dakota with CNA wage data · BLS OES May 2025 · North Dakota typical pay $45,820
Is Fargo a good place to work as a CNA?
CNAs in Fargo earn less than the national figure: typical pay is $39,940 a year, 5% below the national rate. For every 1,000 jobs in the Fargo area, about 15 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.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a CNA make in Fargo, ND?
- A typical CNA in Fargo earns $39,940 a year, or $19.20 an hour, according to BLS wage data for May 2025. Entry-level pay runs about $33,050 and the top 10% earn over $50,800.
- How much does a CNA make an hour in Fargo?
- Typical hourly pay for CNAs in Fargo is $19.20. Entry-level hourly pay runs about $15.89, and the top 10% earn over $24.42 an hour.
- What is the starting pay for a CNA in Fargo?
- Entry-level CNA positions in Fargo typically offer around $15.89 an hour, or $33,050 a year.
- Is CNA pay in Fargo higher than in the rest of North Dakota?
- Fargo pay is 13% below the North Dakota figure of $45,820 a year, ranking 3rd of 4 metro areas in the state. Bismarck pays the most in North Dakota at $46,720.