Career Atlas USA

Careers in North Dakota

North Dakota’s regional price level is below the national average (index 88.959, where 100 = U.S. average, 2024 BEA data).

Unemployment rate: 2.1% · Labor force participation: 69.6% · 424,911 people employed (2026-07, BLS LAUS, not seasonally adjusted).

Highest-Paying Careers

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  1. 1Surgeons, All Other$604,890
  2. 2Radiologists$553,140
  3. 3Physicians, All Other$454,550
  4. 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists$414,060
  5. 5Emergency Medicine Physicians$392,890

Largest Occupations

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  1. 1Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers11,870 employed
  2. 2Fast Food and Counter Workers11,470 employed
  3. 3Registered Nurses11,340 employed
  4. 4Retail Salespersons11,320 employed
  5. 5General and Operations Managers11,150 employed

Highest Concentration

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  1. 1Wellhead Pumpers30.98× national avg
  2. 2Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas25.16× national avg
  3. 3Roustabouts, Oil and Gas19.77× national avg
  4. 4Derrick Operators, Oil and Gas16.80× national avg
  5. 5Gas Plant Operators15.56× national avg

Best Purchasing Power

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cost-of-living adjusted

  1. 1Surgeons, All Other$679,965
  2. 2Radiologists$621,792
  3. 3Physicians, All Other$510,966
  4. 4Obstetricians and Gynecologists$465,450
  5. 5Emergency Medicine Physicians$441,653

Strongest Opportunity Score

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  1. 1Wellhead Pumpers99.2 / 100
  2. 2Roustabouts, Oil and Gas98 / 100
  3. 3Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians92.5 / 100
  4. 4Gas Plant Operators90.8 / 100
  5. 5Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment89.6 / 100

Sources

Wage and employment data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS). Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities. Unemployment rate: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS). Opportunity Score is a Career Atlas USA calculation — see methodology.