Grand Forks Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Grand Forks, ND: $25.00/hr median hourly wage, $52,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 88, and $7.25/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and North Dakota taxes.
Grand Forks Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Grand Forks, ND is $25.00/hr, equivalent to $52,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.50/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $35.50/hr, and the local minimum wage is $7.25/hr.
Median Salary
$52,000
$25.00/hr
Cost of Living
88
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$7.25
per hour
Unemployment
2.5%
rate
Grand Forks, ND Overview
Population
56,588
Median Salary
$52,000
Average Salary
$58,000
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$220,000
Median Rent
$850/mo
Job Growth
+1.2%
Sales Tax
7.25%
Grand Forks is located in North Dakota with a population of 56,588. The median household salary is $52,000 per year ($25.00/hour), which is $7,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.2%.
Grand Forks Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Grand Forks, ND based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $52,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $32,240 | $15.50/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $52,000 | $25.00/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $73,840 | $35.50/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $92,560 | $44.50/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Grand Forks Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Grand Forks, ND, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$42,948
$3,579.00/month · $1,651.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 17.4%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,651.85 take-home per paycheck after estimated North Dakota and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$52,000
Federal Tax
-$4,060
State Tax
-$1,014
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,978
Net Pay
$42,948
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,333.33 | $52,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$338.33 | -$4,060.00 |
| North Dakota State Tax (1.95%) | -$84.50 | -$1,014.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$268.67 | -$3,224.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$62.83 | -$754.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,579.00 | $42,948.00 |
Salary Comparison: Grand Forks vs Other Cities
See how Grand Forks's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | $52,000 | 88 | $59,091 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Auburn, AL | $52,000 | 90 | $57,778 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $52,000 | 96 | $54,167 |
| Fontana, CA | $52,000 | 102 | $50,980 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,000 | 118 | $44,068 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Grand Forks
Grand Forks's cost of living index is 88 (national average = 100). Living in Grand Forks is 12% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$220,000
Median Monthly Rent
$850
Annual Rent Cost
$10,200
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $42,948 annual take-home pay in Grand Forks has the purchasing power of approximately $48,805 in an average-cost US area. Your $52,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Grand Forks
Grand Forks's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $52,000.
Salary Tips for Grand Forks Workers
- Your salary goes further here. Grand Forks has a cost of living 12% below the national average. A salary of $52,000 here has the purchasing power of about $59,091 in an average-cost area.
- Research top industries. Grand Forks's top industries include Education, Military, Healthcare. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $52,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Grand Forks salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Grand Forks-ND metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Grand Forks indexed at 88.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Grand Forks's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $52,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects North Dakota state income tax (1.95%) (no local income tax), sales tax (7.25%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Grand Forks: 2.5%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Education, Military, Healthcare — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.2% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for North Dakota.
- Housing context: median home price $220,000, median rent $850/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Grand Forks, ND:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Grand Forks unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Grand Forks QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — North Dakota — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Grand Forks's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent North Dakota labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Grand Forks, ND?
The median hourly wage in Grand Forks, ND is $25.00 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $52,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.50/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $35.50/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Grand Forks, ND?
The median salary in Grand Forks, ND is $52,000 per year, or $25.00 per hour. The average salary is $58,000. This is $7,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Grand Forks, ND?
Grand Forks's cost of living index is 88 (national average = 100), meaning it is 12% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $220,000 and the median monthly rent is $850.
What are the best industries in Grand Forks?
The top industries in Grand Forks, ND include Education, Military, Healthcare. The city has a job growth rate of 1.2% and an unemployment rate of 2.5%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $52,000.
How does Grand Forks's salary compare to other cities?
Grand Forks's median salary of $52,000 is 12.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 88), the real purchasing power is approximately $59,091.
What is the minimum wage in Grand Forks, ND?
The minimum wage in Grand Forks, ND is $7.25 per hour. This equals approximately $15,080 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This matches the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.