isworthit

Is Nurse Practitioner a Good Career in North Dakota?

North Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Nurse Practitioner pay in North Dakota

The median wage is $130,070/yr — 2% below the national median. Among U.S. states, North Dakotaranks #34 of 51 states by median pay.

The numbers in North Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Nurse Practitioner.

Median salary
$130,070/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$107,290 – $135,620
National median
$132,300/yr
Employed in North Dakota
1,290

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in North Dakota

Salary alone can mislead — North Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
89
Nominal median
$130,070
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $146,146
State income tax
Up to 2.5%

Because North Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #9 of 51 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #34 on raw salary.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Nurse Practitioner nationally — North Dakota pay is 2% below the national median. See the full Nurse Practitioner career guide →

The verdict

Yes — nurse practitioner is one of the strongest careers anywhere: high pay, the fastest projected growth in this set, and significant autonomy. It requires becoming an RN first and earning a master's (MSN), but the payoff is exceptional.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • High pay with the fastest projected growth in this set
  • Significant clinical autonomy (prescribing in many states)
  • Exceptional job security and demand
  • Builds directly on an RN foundation
  • Strong payback relative to graduate cost

Cons

  • Requires RN licensure plus a master's (MSN)
  • Years of education and clinical hours
  • High responsibility and liability
  • Scope of practice varies by state
  • Demanding workload

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • RNs ready to advance their careers
  • People wanting high pay with clinical autonomy
  • Anyone seeking top-tier job security

✗ Probably not if…

  • People unwilling to become an RN first
  • Those who can't commit to graduate study

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Nurse Practitioner is worth it — titles link to the original threads.