Software Developers in North Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Software Developers in North Dakota was $98,550 in 2024, about 29% below the US median of $138,520. That is one of the larger state-level gaps we see for this occupation.
The mean of $103,610 sits close to the median, which tells us the top earners here are not pulling the average up as sharply as they do in states like California or Washington. The spread from the 10th to the 90th percentile runs from $63,140 to $153,280, a ratio of roughly 2.4 to 1. For context, that range is real but not unusually wide for this occupation nationally. Experience and specialization still move the needle considerably.
North Dakota's cost of living runs below the US baseline. The BEA regional price index we use puts it at 91.9, meaning goods and services cost about 8% less here on average than across the country. After adjusting for that, the effective purchasing power of the state median comes to roughly $107,200 in national-baseline dollars. The headline gap with the US median narrows from 29% to closer to 23%.
BLS projects employment for Software Developers to grow 15.8% nationally between 2024 and 2034, a rate it classifies as much faster than average. The North Dakota market is small at an estimated 1,510 employed developers, so percentage swings in openings can look dramatic even when the absolute numbers stay modest.
Salary distribution
Where North Dakota software developers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $78,870 and $126,510, with a median of $105,600.
Software Developers in North Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 35 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $88,774. 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 | 14 | $71,890 |
| Level II — qualified | 12 | $99,999 |
| Level III — experienced | 2 | $124,464 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 4 | $135,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Software Developers in North Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings. Click a company for its full H-1B salary breakdown.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of North Dakota | Software Developer | 4 | $69,477 |
| APPAREO SYSTEMS, LLC. | SENIOR QUALITY ENGINEER | 2 | $111,002,711 |
| Fargo Engineering, Inc. | Senior Software Engineer | 2 | $150,000 |
| Generic Solutions Inc | Java Developer | 2 | $105,997 |
| L&T Technology Services Limited | Software Developer Systems Software | 2 | $87,015 |
| Midcontinent Communications | Software Developer II | 2 | $70,221 |
| ANDHUS TECHNOLOGIES INC | SOFTWARE DEVELOPER | 1 | $110,000 |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota | Sr. Software Engineer | 1 | $124,925 |
| BMR INFOTEK, INC | SR. SOFTWARE DEVELOPER | 1 | $90,000 |
| Border States Industries, Inc. | Software Developer – Business Technology | 1 | $95,118 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Software Engineer II at Choice Financial Group$129,125FargoWage Level IIDecided Mar 26, 2026I-200-26078-716510
- Software Developer – Business Technology at Border States Industries, Inc.$95,118FargoWage Level IDecided Jan 20, 2026I-200-26012-551916
- Software Engineer at L&T Technology Services Limited$85,255JamestownDecided Dec 19, 2025I-200-25346-477615
- HCM Lead Programmer Analyst at NDUS System Information Technology Services$112,773FargoWage Level IIIDecided Dec 11, 2025I-200-25338-458027
- Senior Software Engineer at Fargo Engineering, Inc.$160,000FargoWage Level IVDecided Nov 21, 2025I-200-25318-408135
- Software Developer at University of North Dakota$85,358Grand ForksWage Level IDecided Nov 7, 2025I-200-25273-348403
- SOFTWARE DEVELOPER - UAV AG DATA at NORTH DAKOTA STATE UNIVERSITY$84,000FARGOWage Level IDecided Sep 10, 2025I-200-25246-284247
- Software developer at Enewvision, LLC.$88,816bismarckWage Level IIDecided Sep 5, 2025I-200-25240-273696
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.
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Software Developers 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.
Software Developers specialties in North Dakota
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 20 certified offers. The most common variant is Software Developer at a median of $85,358.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | Midcontinent Communications | 11 | $85,358 |
| Software Engineer | Fargo Engineering, Inc. | 9 | $85,384 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Software Developers in North Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 35 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Technology and software leads with a median of $90,000.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology and software | APPAREO SYSTEMS, LLC. | 16 | $90,000 |
| Education | University of North Dakota | 6 | $77,490 |
| Professional services | Fargo Engineering, Inc. | 6 | $88,774 |
| Finance and insurance | Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota | 3 | $124,925 |
| Manufacturing | Deere & Company | 3 | $77,562 |
| Retail and wholesale | Border States Industries, Inc. | 1 | $95,118 |
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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 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
+15.8%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Reading for software developers
Guides, negotiation playbooks, and data reports on RateOrchard for this role.
- trendsBest states for Software Developers in 2026: cost-of-living adjusted rankingSoftware Developer median is $142,947 nationally in 2025. See which states deliver the best purchasing power after cost-of-living adjustment in 2026.
- insightsHow Software Developers can negotiate a higher salary in 2026Software Developers earn a $142,947 median in 2025 per BLS. Learn how to negotiate above that with federal data, proven scripts, and 2026 market context.
- careerHow people become Software Developers: training, timelines, and first-year paySoftware Developers earned a median of $142,947 in 2025. This guide covers every training path, realistic timelines, and first-year pay ranges.
- compareSoftware Developers vs Computer and Information Systems Managers: which pays more in 2026Software Developers earned $142,947 median in 2025 vs $169,510 for CIS Managers. We break down the 19% gap and when it shrinks or reverses.
Related roles in North Dakota
Occupations in the same field, with North Dakota salary data.
How Software Developers pay compares nationally
Put this North Dakota figure in context with our national salary data reports.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Software Developers in North Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Software Developers in North Dakota is $105,600.
- How does North Dakota compare to the national median for Software Developers?
- The North Dakota median is -26.1% versus the BLS national figure of $142,947.
- What is the salary range for Software Developers in North Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $62,900 and the 90th-percentile at $158,060, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Software Developers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 15.8% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Software Developers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
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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.