Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — state estimates; U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Organization. Data captured September 30, 2026.
North Dakota state government pay plan
North Dakota Office of Management and Budget, Human Resource Management Services publishes the classification and pay plan for North Dakota state employees: 94 job classes and 20 pay grades, effective July 1, 2026. Below are the classes that match GovJobsWiki jobs, with annual ranges converted from the plan's published rates.
Classes are matched to jobs by title (GovJobsWiki editorial rule).
Source: North Dakota Office of Management and Budget, Human Resource Management Services, North Dakota Career Classifications and Salary Ranges (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Public employers in North Dakota
Fire departments · 24
| Employer | City | Career firefighters | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo Fire Department | Fargo | 122 | Official site |
| Bismarck Fire Department | Bismarck | 79 | Official site |
| Grand Forks Fire Department | Grand Forks | 79 | Official site |
| Minot Fire Department | Minot | 60 | Official site |
| Minot Air Force Base Fire & Emergency Services | Minot Afb | 59 | — |
| Grand Forks Air Force Base | Grand Forks Afb | 56 | — |
| Williston Fire Department | Williston | 50 | Official site |
| City of West Fargo Fire Department | West Fargo | 28 | Official site |
| 119th CES/CEF | Fargo | 24 | — |
| Washburn Fire Department | Washburn | 24 | — |
Transit agencies · 10
| Employer | City | Vehicles operated directly | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Grand Forks | Grand Forks | 24 | Official site |
| Fargo Park District | Fargo | 23 | Official site |
| Sitting Bull College | Fort Yates | 14 | Official site |
| City of Minot | Minot | 7 | Official site |
| Hazen Busing Project | Hazen | 4 | Official site |
| Spirit Lake Tribe | Fort Totten | 4 | — |
| Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indian | Belcourt | 4 | — |
| Benson County Transportation | Maddock | 2 | Official site |
| Bis-Man Transit Board | Bismarck | 0 | Official site |
| City of Fargo | Fargo | 0 | Official site |
School districts · 170
| Employer | City | Teachers (FTE) | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| WEST FARGO 6 | West Fargo | 1,123 | Official site |
| FARGO 1 | Fargo | 989 | Official site |
| BISMARCK 1 | Bismarck | 969 | Official site |
| GRAND FORKS 1 | Grand Forks | 731 | Official site |
| MINOT 1 | Minot | 551 | Official site |
| WILLISTON BASIN 7 | Williston | 381 | Official site |
| DICKINSON 1 | Dickinson | 368 | Official site |
| MANDAN 1 | Mandan | 289 | Official site |
| JAMESTOWN 1 | Jamestown | 233 | Official site |
| BELCOURT 7 | Belcourt | 195 | Official site |
Police departments · 43
Municipal and county police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.
Sheriff's offices · 53
County sheriff's offices in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.
Campus police departments · 4
College and university police departments in the FBI's law-enforcement agency list. Staff size is not yet collected for this kind of employer.
Sources: U.S. Fire Administration (FEMA), National Fire Department Registry; Federal Transit Administration, National Transit Database 2024 — Reporter Agency Information; National Center for Education Statistics, Common Core of Data, 2024–25 local education agency universe (directory and staff); Federal Bureau of Investigation, Crime Data Explorer — law-enforcement agencies by state (API). Data captured September 30, 2026.
Pay for government jobs in North Dakota
Median wage in North Dakota for each job's occupation (all employers in the state), next to the national median in government. Largest occupations first.
| Job | Workers in ND | Median in ND | National, government |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correctional Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 11,340 | $80,730 | $100,490 |
| Public Health Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 11,340 | $80,730 | $100,490 |
| School Nurse SOC 29-1141 | 11,340 | $80,730 | $100,490 |
| VA Nurse (Veterans Affairs) SOC 29-1141 | 11,340 | $80,730 | $100,490 |
| Toll Collector SOC 41-2011 | 9,510 | $31,460 | $36,130 |
| Office Clerk / Clerk Typist (government) SOC 43-9061 | 8,440 | $50,160 | $46,170 |
| Custodian (schools & public buildings) SOC 37-2011 | 6,720 | $37,750 | $39,640 |
| Administrative Assistant (government) SOC 43-6014 | 5,800 | $47,480 | $48,290 |
| School Secretary / Office Manager SOC 43-6014 | 5,800 | $47,480 | $48,290 |
| IRS Customer Service Representative SOC 43-4051 | 5,750 | $44,670 | $45,860 |
| Paraprofessional / Teacher Aide SOC 25-9045 | 5,600 | $38,240 | $36,990 |
| Heavy Equipment Operator (government) SOC 47-2073 | 4,890 | $62,150 | $52,750 |
| Accountant (government) SOC 13-2011 | 4,430 | $75,730 | $81,390 |
| Elementary School Teacher SOC 25-2021 | 4,430 | $60,030 | $65,310 |
| ESL / ELL Teacher SOC 25-2021 | 4,430 | $60,030 | $65,310 |
| Government Auditor SOC 13-2011 | 4,430 | $75,730 | $81,390 |
| Public School Teacher SOC 25-2021 | 4,430 | $60,030 | $65,310 |
| High School Teacher SOC 25-2031 | 3,070 | $61,210 | $74,220 |
| Parks / Grounds Maintenance Worker SOC 37-3011 | 2,100 | $40,790 | $40,080 |
| School Cafeteria / Food Service Worker SOC 35-2012 | 1,820 | $39,490 | $36,180 |
| Child Support Officer SOC 13-1199 | 1,810 | $80,500 | $91,060 |
| Foreign Service Officer (diplomat) SOC 13-1199 | 1,810 | $80,500 | $91,060 |
| Grants Specialist / Manager SOC 13-1199 | 1,810 | $80,500 | $91,060 |
| Fleet Mechanic (city/county) SOC 49-3031 | 1,790 | $66,110 | $65,270 |
| Transit Bus Mechanic SOC 49-3031 | 1,790 | $66,110 | $65,270 |
| Human Resources Specialist (government) SOC 13-1071 | 1,710 | $75,630 | $80,330 |
| Border Patrol Agent SOC 33-3051 | 1,630 | $74,500 | $76,300 |
| Campus / University Police Officer SOC 33-3051 | 1,630 | $74,500 | $76,300 |
| CBP Officer (Customs & Border Protection) SOC 33-3051 | 1,630 | $74,500 | $76,300 |
| Deputy Sheriff SOC 33-3051 | 1,630 | $74,500 | $76,300 |
Several jobs can share one occupation code.
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.
Exam practice in North Dakota
Free practice tests for North Dakota's own version of an entrance or licensing exam. National exams are listed on each job page.
North Dakota CDL General Knowledge TestSource: 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.