Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates. Data captured September 30, 2026.
How to become a deputy sheriff in North Dakota
Deputy sheriffs in North Dakota meet the same statewide minimum standards as police officers, set by North Dakota Peace Officer Standards and Training Board (ND POST Board), Office of Attorney General: state exam. Citizenship, disqualifiers, fitness and the rules for officers from other states are on the police officer page for North Dakota.
Source: State POST commissions and legislatures, State peace officer standards: statutes, administrative rules and POST commission pages. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Pay in North Dakota, all employers Sourced
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers (SOC 33-3051) in North Dakota, all employers combined: BLS state estimates do not separate government from private.
| Measure | ND |
|---|---|
| Workers | 1,630 |
| 10th percentile | $58,620 |
| Median | $74,500 |
| 90th percentile | $91,440 |
| National median, government employers | $76,300 |
Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — national estimates by ownership. Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pension in North Dakota
Local employees: Local police and firefighters
| Plan | Accrual | Normal retirement | Employee pays | Social Security |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NDPERS Public Safety Defined Benefit Retirement Plan Public Safety plan, members first enrolled on or after 2020-01-01 | 1.75% | Age 55 with 3 years of eligible service | 5.5% | Not stated |
The statewide plan a new hire usually joins. Some cities and counties run their own plans; check with the employer. Each plan's formula, vesting, cost-of-living adjustment and retiree health are on the North Dakota pension plans list.
Source: State retirement systems, Official state retirement system pages, member handbooks and statutes. Data captured October 2, 2026.
Employers in North Dakota
53 sheriff's offices in North Dakota.
Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Free practice tests for North Dakota
North Dakota POST Peace Officer Certification ExamNorth Dakota exam · free on Open Exam Prep- IPMA-HR / PSHRA Entry-Level Police Officer Test (PO-EL)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Law Enforcement Aptitude Battery (LEAB)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Criminal Justice Officer Selection Inventory (NCJOSI-3)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- National Police Officer Selection Test (POST)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- NTN FrontLine National - Law Enforcement ExamPractice for a named exam · free on Open Exam Prep
- Police Aptitude and Character Test (PACT)Entrance or licensing exam · free on Open Exam Prep
Source: Open Exam Prep, Open Exam Prep free practice tests. Data captured October 1, 2026. Each link was opened and its exam title checked on the date shown.
More about this job
Requirements, hiring process, training, schedule and day-to-day work are on the national Deputy Sheriff page.
Deputy Sheriff in other states
More government jobs in North Dakota
North Dakota government jobs · North Dakota public pension plans · police officer standards in North Dakota · exam practice in North Dakota