Lawyers pay range in Fargo
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $70,180 a year or less, while the top 10% make $202,750 or more. The middle half of lawyers in Fargo earn between $95,250 and $157,790.
- $70K10th
- $95K25th
- $111KMedian
- $158K75th
- $203K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $137,180 | $11,432 | $65.95 |
| Median | $111,090 | $9,258 | $53.41 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $95,250 | $7,938 | $45.79 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $157,790 | $13,149 | $75.86 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Lawyers pay in Fargo vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Lawyers in Fargo earn 7% more than the North Dakota average ($128,680) and 26% less than the U.S. average ($185,840). At the median the gap is -30% against the U.S. median of $159,670.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo | $137,180 | $111,090 | $70,180 | $202,750 | 410 |
| North Dakota | $128,680 | $106,880 | $70,500 | $194,840 | 1,050 |
| United States | $185,840 | $159,670 | $78,360 | $351,600 | 754,500 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Lawyers salary after taxes in Fargo
On the average salary of $137,180, a single filer in Fargo takes home about $103,634 a year, or $8,636 a month and $3,986 every two weeks. Taxes take 24% 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 | $103,634 | $8,636 |
| Working in MN | $97,093 | $8,091 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Fargo a good place for lawyers? 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 $137,180 buys what about $150,961 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 2.2 times the median wage of all jobs in Fargo ($51,050). A typical home costs $327,854, or 2.4 years of this average salary before tax.
Lawyers salary in other North Dakota cities
Fargo ranks 1st of 4 North Dakota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Fargo$137,180
- Bismarck$130,740
- Minot$122,470
- Grand Forks$109,810
Highest-paying cities for lawyers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($288,980).
- San Jose, CA$288,980
- Santa Rosa, CA$248,950
- Los Angeles, CA$241,500
- San Francisco, CA$237,060
- Bridgeport, CT$231,710
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Lawyers salary in Fargo: questions
How much do lawyers make an hour in Fargo?
$65.95 an hour on average, and $53.41 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level lawyers salary in Fargo?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $70,180 a year and the 25th percentile is $95,250, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the lawyers take-home pay in Fargo?
About $103,634 a year ($8,636 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $137,180.
Do lawyers earn more in Fargo than elsewhere?
The average here is 26% less than the U.S. average for this job ($185,840).
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 23-1011; area Fargo, ND-MN (22020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 4.1%.
- 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 0.56, this job is less common than in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.56).
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