What the numbers say
The median wage for Data Scientists in North Dakota was $96,230 in 2024, about 17% below the national median of $115,636. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
North Dakota's cost of living runs roughly 8% below the national average. Once you account for what the money actually buys, the effective gap shrinks to something closer to 9%. A Data Scientist earning near the median here gives up less purchasing power than the headline numbers suggest.
The spread between the 10th and 90th percentile is narrower than we see in most states: $58,050 at the bottom, $123,310 at the top. The 25th and 75th percentiles land at $74,690 and $120,270, and the 90th percentile is only $3,040 above the 75th. That compressed upper range likely reflects the small size of the market. With 320 total employed Data Scientists in the state, there are fewer of the senior or specialized roles that push top-end wages higher in larger tech hubs.
The mean annual wage of $94,130 comes in slightly below the median, which is unusual. In most occupations the mean sits above the median because a small group of high earners pulls the average up. Here the reverse is true, a sign that the upper tail is not particularly heavy.
On the growth side, BLS projects the Data Scientist occupation nationally will expand much faster than average between 2024 and 2034, with a projected growth rate of 33.5%. North Dakota's small base means even modest absolute job growth would register as a large percentage move, so the national projection is the more reliable planning figure for the state.
Salary distribution
Where North Dakota data scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $74,690 and $120,270, with a median of $96,230.
Data Scientists in North Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 8 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $96,020. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 1 | $72,530 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $96,020 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $110,032 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $155,432 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Data Scientists in North Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tioga Black Gold Hotel LLC | Business Intelligence Analyst | 2 | $62,000 |
| Border States Industries, Inc. | Business Analyst II | 2 | $108,032 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Marketing Analyst (Business Intelligence Analyst) | 1 | $72,530 |
| 701x Inc. | Head of Data Science | 1 | $104,000 |
| IBM Corporation | Managing Consultant | 1 | $155,432 |
| E-CQR INC. | Sr. Business Analyst | 1 | $92,040 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Business Intelligence Analyst at Tioga Black Gold Hotel LLC$62,000TiogaDecided Dec 10, 2025I-200-25337-453686
- Marketing Analyst (Business Intelligence Analyst) at Midcontinent Communications$72,530FargoWage Level IDecided May 1, 2025I-200-25114-902229
- Head of Data Science at 701x Inc.$104,000FargoWage Level IIIDecided Apr 29, 2025I-200-25112-892298
- Managing Consultant at IBM Corporation$155,432BismarkWage Level IVDecided Mar 18, 2025I-200-25070-766796
- Business Analyst II at Border States Industries, Inc.$100,000FargoWage Level IIDecided Jan 24, 2025I-200-25016-624111
- Data Engineer at Border States Industries, Inc.$116,064FargoWage Level IIIDecided Jan 13, 2025I-200-25003-592795
- Sr. Business Analyst at E-CQR INC.$92,040BismarckWage Level IIDecided Jan 6, 2025I-200-24362-573729
- Business Analyst at Tioga Black Gold Hotel LLC$62,000TiogaDecided Dec 10, 2025I-200-25337-453577
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Data Scientists pay by experience level in North Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Data Scientists in North Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 6 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $98,020.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | Midcontinent Communications | 4 | $98,020 |
| Retail and wholesale | Border States Industries, Inc. | 2 | $108,032 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Dakota over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+33.5%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Data Scientists in North Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in North Dakota is $96,230.
- How does North Dakota compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
- The North Dakota median is -16.8% versus the BLS national figure of $115,636.
- What is the salary range for Data Scientists in North Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $58,050 and the 90th-percentile at $123,310, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Data Scientists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 33.5% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Data Scientists?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.