Pharmacist Salary in North Dakota: $143,712 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median pharmacist pay sits at $143,712/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1051. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $156,209 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($143,380), Fargo ($142,040), Grand Forks ($138,310).
In 2026, the average median salary for pharmacists in North Dakota is projected to be $143,712, slightly above the national median of $143,489, reflecting a positive regional trend with a 0.2% increase compared to the national figures. The salary range across the state varies notably, with Bismarck leading at $146,004, while Mandan sits at the lower end with $123,379. This $22,625 difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, the concentration of healthcare facilities, and local demand for pharmaceutical services. North Dakota's state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws can influence career opportunities and salary levels. Pharmacists here are essential in rural healthcare settings, where the demand for pharmaceutical expertise continues to grow, driven by an aging population and expanding healthcare services. With a projected annual compound growth rate of 1.83%, the job market for pharmacists in North Dakota indicates stable demand, particularly in metropolitan areas like Fargo, which offers a salary of $144,639. Overall, North Dakota presents a favorable job outlook for pharmacists, supported by state-specific factors and increasing healthcare needs.
North Dakota Pharmacist Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $37,799 (lowest entry-level) to $171,013 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota pharmacists earn 0.16% more than the national median (+$223/year difference).
North Dakota Pharmacist Salary Distribution (2026)
Pharmacist salaries in North Dakota range from $70,129 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $169,461 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $143,712. The North Dakota median is $223 above the US national median of $143,489. The average hourly rate is $69.09/hr. Approximately 819 pharmacists are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$111,893
2025 BLS Actual
$141,129
2026 Current Est.
$143,712
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Salary Trajectory for Pharmacists in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 1.83% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,893 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,939 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,356 | Actual |
| 2022 | $135,041 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,853 | Actual |
| 2024 | $135,256 | Actual |
| 2025 | $141,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $143,712 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $146,342 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median pharmacist salary grew 26.1% from $111,893 (2019) to $141,129 (2025). At a 1.83% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $146,342 by 2027 — a total increase of $34,449 (30.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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 1.83% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $123,379 |
| Williston | $125,965 |
| Dickinson | $129,079 |
| Minot | $129,642 |
| West Fargo | $129,734 |
Best Value Cities for Pharmacists in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for pharmacists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $140,841 | 86.663 | $162,516 |
| Bismarck | $146,004 | 91.024 | $160,402 |
| Fargo | $144,639 | 90.871 | $159,170 |
| West Fargo | $129,734 | 92 | $141,015 |
| Minot | $129,642 | 92 | $140,915 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $70,129 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $143,712 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $169,461 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $146,004 |
| 2 | Fargo | $144,639 |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $140,841 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $129,734 |
| 5 | Minot | $129,642 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $129,079 |
| 7 | Williston | $125,965 |
| 8 | Mandan | $123,379 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Explore More Pharmacist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pharmacists make in North Dakota in 2026?
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How does North Dakota pharmacist pay compare to the national average?
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Which North Dakota city offers the best value for pharmacists?
Written by Sofia Chen, PharmD
Career Analyst
Sofia Chen has 10 years of experience in community pharmacy. She specializes in medication therapy management.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide 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. A 1.83% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 pharmacist compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more pharmacistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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 1.83%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for pharmacists (SOC 29-1051).
Compiled and verified by Sofia Chen, PharmD, a licensed pharmacist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov