How Much Does an LPN Make in North Dakota in 2026?

A typical LPN in North Dakota earns about $29.95 per hour, or $62,300 per year, according to the latest government wage data (May 2025). That breaks down to roughly $5,192 a month and $1,198 a week, both calculated from the annual figure. Pay for LPNs in the state varies by city, employer, and years of experience.

That figure sits 3% below the national typical pay of $64,400 a year for LPNs. North Dakota ranks 33rd out of 51 states and territories on this measure. About 1,920 LPNs work across the state, a modest workforce size compared with larger neighboring states.

Entry-level positions for LPNs in North Dakota typically offer around $24.49 an hour, or about $50,950 a year, according to the May 2025 data. New nurses in this range are usually within their first year or two on the job. Pay tends to rise toward the typical wage of $62,300 as LPNs gain experience and take on more responsibility.

Experienced LPNs in North Dakota often earn upwards of $31.26 an hour, or about $65,020 a year. The top 10% of earners make over $74,130 a year. That's a spread of $23,180 between entry-level and top pay, a gap that usually comes down to setting, years on the job, and which city an LPN works in.

Over the past decade, typical LPN pay in North Dakota rose from $41,520 in 2015 to $62,300 in 2025. That's a gain of $20,780. In percentage terms, it's a 50% increase over ten years. The rise wasn't perfectly steady; pay dipped slightly in 2021 before climbing again through 2023 and 2024.

Nationally, LPN pay rose 49% over the same decade, so North Dakota's climb has kept pace with the country as a whole. For someone entering the field now, that means typical pay has moved up substantially over the past ten years. It doesn't guarantee future increases, but the trend has been consistently upward. Anyone weighing the profession can look at this history as a starting point, not a promise.

Fargo pays LPNs the most in North Dakota, with a typical wage of $62,300 a year ($29.95 an hour). That figure matches the statewide typical pay exactly, since Fargo's large LPN workforce drives the state number. Bismarck follows closely at $61,690 a year ($29.66 an hour), and Minot comes in at $61,110 a year ($29.38 an hour).

Grand Forks pays the least among the state's tracked cities, at $60,500 a year ($29.09 an hour). That's a spread of $1,800 between the highest and lowest-paying cities, a narrow range compared with many states. These figures cover each city's full metro area. Fargo also has the largest LPN workforce in the state, at 770 practical nurses, so cost-of-living differences between these cities stay modest.

North Dakota's LPN pay sits close to its neighbors on two sides. Minnesota pays a bit more, at $63,750 a year (2% higher), and Montana is essentially even at $62,210. South Dakota pays noticeably less, at $52,750 a year, about 15% below North Dakota. LPN licenses can often be transferred or endorsed into a neighboring state, which makes comparing these figures useful for nurses considering a move.

Typical LPN pay in North Dakota is about $62,300 a year ($29.95 an hour), up 50% over the past decade. That puts the state slightly below the national figure but in line with much of the region. Nurses weighing licensure requirements can check North Dakota's nursing board or licensing registry for specifics, and those comparing cities can look at Fargo, Bismarck, Minot, and Grand Forks pages for local figures.