Clinical Research Coordinator Salary in Fargo, ND: $53K Median (2026)
Fargo, ND clinical research coordinator salary: 2026 median, entry-level and senior pay, take-home estimate, CRC skills, North Dakota context, and source notes.
The median Clinical Research Coordinator salary in Fargo, ND is $53,010 per year ($4,418/month, $25/hr). This reflects the local cost of living index of 93, which is 7% below the national average.
Quick local answer for Fargo
In Fargo, an entry-level Clinical Research Coordinator is estimated at $39,060, the median estimate is $53,010, and a senior estimate is $66,960. After estimated 2026 federal tax, North Dakota income tax, and FICA, the median salary leaves about $43,740 per year, or $3,645 per month.
For North Dakota CRC searches, Fargo is the strongest local benchmark because the market is concentrated around healthcare, education, and research support roles. The most relevant pay drivers are GCP training, IRB documentation, patient recruitment, adverse-event reporting, CTMS experience, and whether the role is site-based, senior, or moving toward CRA/clinical research manager work.
North Dakota CRC salary context
Most search demand for this page is statewide rather than only Fargo. Treat the Fargo estimate as a local anchor for North Dakota clinical research coordinator pay, then adjust up or down for employer, study complexity, certification, and whether the role is a coordinator, clinical trial coordinator, clinical research specialist, senior CRC, or CRA-track position.
| Benchmark | Annual | Hourly | Best use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry CRC | $39,060 | $18.78/hr | First coordinator role, GCP baseline |
| Early-career CRC | $46,035 | $22.13/hr | 1-3 years, independent study support |
| Median CRC | $53,010 | $25.49/hr | Main Fargo salary estimate |
| Senior CRC | $66,960 | $32.19/hr | Multi-study ownership, audits, mentoring |
| Top local estimate | $79,980 | $38.45/hr | Lead CRC or bridge toward CRA work |
- Fargo benchmark: lower cost of living, no local income tax, and a healthcare-heavy employer base.
- Best-fit search terms: clinical research coordinator salary North Dakota, CRC salary ND, clinical trial coordinator salary Fargo, and clinical research specialist salary North Dakota.
- Skills that should change pay: GCP, IRB submissions, protocol management, patient recruitment, adverse-event documentation, CTMS, Excel, and sponsor audit readiness.
- O*NET classifies Clinical Research Coordinators as 11-9121.01, but its wage table is collected from the broader Natural Sciences Managers family. This page uses a local salary model instead of presenting that parent occupation as an exact CRC wage.
Reviewed against O*NET occupation details, BLS OEWS methodology, IRS 2026 tax parameters, and the North Dakota tax commissioner resources. The salary estimate remains a modeled local benchmark, not a guaranteed employer offer.
North Dakota CRC salary FAQStatewide CRC pay, Fargo benchmark, certification notes, and source caveats.Clinical Research Coordinator Take-Home Pay in Fargo
Tax Breakdown (Median Salary)
| Gross Annual | $53,010 |
| Federal Tax | -$4,181 |
| State Tax (1.9%) | -$1,034 |
| FICA (SS + Medicare) | -$4,055 |
| Annual Take-Home | $43,740 |
| Monthly Take-Home | $3,645 |
Living Cost Comparison
Clinical Research Coordinator Requirements
Key Skills
Fargo Job Market Overview
Fargo, North Dakota has a population of 125,990 and an unemployment rate of 1.8%. The top industries are Healthcare, Technology, Education. The local job growth rate is 2.0%, and the average commute time is 17 minutes.
Related Healthcare Salaries in Fargo
Salary Percentile Breakdown — Clinical Research Coordinator in Fargo
Based on the cost-of-living-adjusted distribution for Clinical Research Coordinator in Fargo, ND, here's how earnings break down across the workforce:
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Equivalent | Career Stage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th (lowest) | $39,060 | $19/hr | Entry-level, < 1 yr exp. |
| 25th | $46,035 | $22/hr | Junior, 1-3 yrs exp. |
| 50th (median) | $53,010 | $25/hr | Mid-career, 1-3 years |
| 75th | $66,960 | $32/hr | Senior, 5-10 yrs exp. |
| 90th (top) | $79,980 | $38/hr | Lead/Principal, 10+ yrs |
Percentiles estimated using a log-normal salary distribution model calibrated to Clinical Research Coordinator compensation data. Top earners (P90) typically include managers, specialists with rare skills, or those at high-paying employers in Fargo's Healthcare sector.
5-Year Salary Trajectory
Clinical Research Coordinator salaries in Fargo have grown approximately 11.0% over the past 5 years, outpacing local CPI inflation in many cases. Here's the historical and projected trajectory:
Year-over-year, an average Clinical Research Coordinator can expect a 11.4% annual increase moving from entry to senior level over 5 years in Fargo. Negotiation, certifications (CCRC, ACRP Certification), and changing employers strategically can accelerate this trajectory.
Fargo vs National Average
The national median Clinical Research Coordinator salary is $57,000. In Fargo, the cost-of-living-adjusted median of $53,010 is 7.0% below the national figure. This reflects Fargo's cost of living index of 93 (lower than the national average of 100).
For Clinical Research Coordinators, this means: rent typically consumes 27.4% of take-home pay (households spending >30% are considered affordable), and a median home in Fargo costs about 5.9× annual take-home. Homeownership in Fargo on this salary is challenging — most experts recommend keeping home costs to 3-4× income.
Industry Context: Healthcare in Fargo
Fargo's economy is anchored by Healthcare, Technology, Education, with 125,990 residents and 1.8% unemployment as of 2026. Clinical Research Coordinators working in the Healthcare sector typically earn at or above the local median due to industry-specific demand. The state's overall job growth rate is 2.0%, and Clinical Research Coordinator occupations specifically are projected to grow 12.0% nationally through 2034 (BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook).
Methodology & Data Sources
How we calculate Clinical Research Coordinator salaries in Fargo, ND:
- Base salary model starts with Salario occupation data and public wage references, including BLS OEWS and O*NET when a direct or related occupational crosswalk is available. For niche titles, we do not treat a broader SOC family as an exact job-title wage.
- Cost-of-living adjustment applied using the Fargo index of 93 relative to the national baseline of 100, with local rent, home price, unemployment, and tax inputs checked separately.
- Percentile distribution (P10-P90) estimated from the entry, median, senior, and top compensation tiers in the Salario salary model rather than claimed as exact employer payroll data.
- Take-home pay calculated using 2026 federal tax brackets (10%-37%), ND state income tax of 1.9%, and FICA (Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45%).
- Tax brackets and standard deduction ($16,100 single filer for tax year 2026) sourced from IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 and updated annually.
Authoritative data sources:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — national and metro-area salary data
- O*NET OnLine — occupation tasks, alternate job titles, skills, and SOC crosswalks
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook — occupation outlook where a matching profile is available
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation and cost-of-living data
- U.S. Census Bureau — Fargo QuickFacts — population and demographic data
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary — 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Fargo unemployment rate
Last reviewed: 2026. Salary data updated annually as new BLS releases become available. Clinical Research Coordinator salaries can vary significantly based on employer, sector (Healthcare vs others in Fargo), specific skill set (Protocol Management, IRB Submissions, Patient Recruitment), and individual negotiation. Always verify current compensation through multiple sources before making career decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Clinical Research Coordinator salary in Fargo, ND?
How much does a Clinical Research Coordinator take home in Fargo after taxes?
Is Fargo a good city for Clinical Research Coordinators?
What skills are needed for a Clinical Research Coordinator in Fargo?
How does Clinical Research Coordinator salary in Fargo compare to the national average?
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Clinical Research Coordinator salary in Fargo, ND?
The median Clinical Research Coordinator salary in Fargo, ND is $53,010 per year as of 2026. This is adjusted for the local cost of living index of 93. Entry-level Clinical Research Coordinators earn around $39,060, while senior-level professionals can earn $66,960 or more.
How much does a Clinical Research Coordinator take home in Fargo after taxes?
A Clinical Research Coordinator earning the median salary of $53,010 in Fargo, ND takes home approximately $43,740 per year ($3,645/month) after federal, state, and local taxes. The effective tax rate is 17.5%.
Is Fargo a good city for Clinical Research Coordinators?
Fargo, ND has a cost of living index of 93 (below national average). Clinical Research Coordinators here earn below the city median. The local unemployment rate is 1.8% and top industries include Healthcare, Technology, Education.
What skills are needed for a Clinical Research Coordinator in Fargo?
Key skills for Clinical Research Coordinators include Protocol Management, IRB Submissions, Patient Recruitment, Data Collection, GCP. Typical education requirement is Bachelor's Degree. Valuable certifications include CCRC, ACRP Certification.
How does Clinical Research Coordinator salary in Fargo compare to the national average?
The national median Clinical Research Coordinator salary is $57,000. In Fargo, the adjusted salary is $53,010, which is 7.0% lower than the national average, reflecting the local cost of living.