Many students working toward teaching certification in North Dakota face fears about their financial future once teaching requirements in North Dakota have been fulfilled. Therefore, students in North Dakota are encouraged to research the average income of North Dakota certified teachers before deciding on their future career.
Teacher salaries in North Dakota are set by district-level salary schedules, which are determined by degree level and classroom teaching experience. For example, Bismark Public School District’s salary schedule has a minimum salary of $37,000 for teachers with only a bachelor’s degree and no classroom teaching experience, while an educator with a doctoral degree and at least 23 years of experience is guaranteed a minimum salary of $68,799.
Students in the process of becoming a teacher in North Dakota should view this table that compares the average annual salaries of different teaching positions in North Dakota against the national average using information provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
| Occupation | Annual mean wage in North Dakota | Annual mean wage in U.S. |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary | $67,700 | $86,620 |
| Psychology Teachers Postsecondary | $73,150 | $74,890 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers Postsecondary | $50,980 | $68,760 |
| Preschool Teachers Except Special Education | $23,940 | $30,150 |
| Kindergarten Teachers Except Special Education | $40,140 | $52,350 |
| Elementary School Teachers Except Special Education | $44,270 | $55,270 |
| Secondary School Teachers Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $42,630 | $56,760 |
| Special Education Teachers Preschool Kindergarten and Elementary School | $47,120 | $56,460 |
| Special Education Teachers Secondary School | $46,730 | $59,080 |
Given the nature of North Dakota’s district-level salary schedules, the average salary of an educator in one district is often greatly different than the state average. The following table contrasts the annual mean wages of education positions in North Dakota’s three metropolitan areas.
| City | Annual mean wage |
| Bismarck, ND | $42,980 |
| Fargo ND-MN | $47,640 |
| Grand Forks ND-MN | $49,780 |
Helpful Resources
- North Dakota Department of Public Instruction – Teacher compensation data
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics – Annual wages for education, training, and library occupations