Data Scientists pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,280 a year or less, while the top 10% make $136,620 or more. The middle half of data scientists in Fargo earn between $76,530 and $116,860.
- $66K10th
- $77K25th
- $92KMedian
- $117K75th
- $137K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $96,830 | $8,069 | $46.55 |
| Median | $92,050 | $7,671 | $44.25 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $76,530 | $6,378 | $36.79 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $116,860 | $9,738 | $56.18 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Data Scientists pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Data scientists in Fargo earn 11% more than the North Dakota average ($87,570) and 24% less than the U.S. average ($126,800). At the median the gap is -23% against the U.S. median of $120,230.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $96,830 | $92,050 | $66,280 | $136,620 | 100 |
| North Dakota | $87,570 | $81,900 | $59,030 | $126,710 | 210 |
| United States | $126,800 | $120,230 | $67,240 | $199,130 | 262,440 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Data Scientists salary after taxes in Fargo
On the average salary of $96,830, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $76,342 a year, or $6,362 a month and $2,936 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Fargo, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $76,342 | $6,362 |
| Working in MN | $71,889 | $5,991 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for data scientists? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Fargo area are 9% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 90.9), so the average $96,830 buys what about $106,558 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 3.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Data Scientists salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 1st of 2 North Dakota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Fargo$96,830
- Bismarck$82,660
Highest-paying cities for data scientists
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($212,760).
- San Jose, CA$212,760
- San Francisco, CA$174,830
- Seattle, WA$160,460
- Idaho Falls, ID$159,110
- Kennewick, WA$157,380
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Data Scientists salary in Fargo: questions
How much do data scientists make an hour in Fargo?
$46.55 an hour on average, and $44.25 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level data scientists salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $66,280 a year and the 25th percentile is $76,530, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the data scientists take-home pay in Fargo?
About $76,342 a year ($6,362 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $96,830.
Do data scientists earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is 24% less than the U.S. average for this job ($126,800).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 15-2051; area Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.39, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.39).
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