Recruiter salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Fargo pays recruiters close to the national norm. The median is $76,550 a year1, 1.2% above the North Dakota statewide median of $75,630 and about level with the US median of $75,940. That is in the top quarter of US areas (#86 of 521). With about 720 recruiters, no area in North Dakota employs more.
BLS occupation 13-1071, area Fargo, ND-MN. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Pay in Fargo against North Dakota and the US
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo, ND-MN | $50,150 | $76,550 | $120,730 | |
| North Dakota | $50,520 | $75,630 | $116,990 | |
| United States | $47,180 | $75,940 | $128,720 |
The middle half of recruiters in Fargo earns $60,710–$92,290. Pay is tightly grouped: the top tenth starts at $120,730, only 2.4 times the bottom tenth, against 2.7 times across the US, so the going rate is easier to read. From the 25th to the 75th percentile, the local range is $31,580 wide, between the figure for North Dakota ($29,430) and the US figure ($40,770).
What to budget for a recruiter here
| Point in the local range | Per year | Per month | Per hour | Employer cost per year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $50,150 | $4,179 | $24.11 | $64,710 |
| 25th percentile | $60,710 | $5,059 | $29.19 | $78,335 |
| Median | $76,550 | $6,379 | $36.80 | $98,774 |
| 75th percentile | $92,290 | $7,691 | $44.37 | $119,084 |
| 90th percentile | $120,730 | $10,061 | $58.04 | $155,781 |
An offer at the 75th percentile instead of the median adds $15,740 a year in pay and about $20,310 in employer cost. Going down to the 25th percentile saves $15,840 in pay. These percentiles describe what people in the job earn locally, not experience levels, so place your offer by the tasks and seniority you need.
For scale, the US median of $75,940 falls between the 25th percentile and the median in Fargo, and the North Dakota statewide median of $75,630 falls there too.
What a hire really costs in Fargo
Pay is only part of it. Benefits and payroll taxes other than paid leave are 22.5% of total compensation in US private industry2, which adds about $22,224 to the $76,550 median and brings it to $98,774 a year. Recruiting, equipment and office space come on top. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for recruiters we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee3; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool4.
Other roles in Fargo
Of the 15 roles we track in Fargo, this one ranks #2 by median pay, after project coordinators ($97,430); accountants come next at $76,420.
| Role | Median | vs recruiter | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Coordinator | +27.3% | 870 | |
| Recruiter | this role | 720 | |
| Accountant | -0.2% | 1,580 | |
| Office Manager | -11.5% | 860 | |
| Executive Assistant | -15.0% | 250 |
Measured against the US median, recruiters rank #3 of the 15 roles we track in Fargo (+0.8%), between virtual receptionists (+1.3%) and bookkeepers (-0.2%). The typical role here is at -2.5%, so, measured against the US, recruiters cost more in Fargo than the area's general pay level would suggest. Recruiters hold 5.3% of the jobs in these 15 roles in Fargo, 5.1% across North Dakota and 5.8% nationally. That is close to the national mix.
Other areas in North Dakota
Across the 6 areas of North Dakota with data for this job, the median runs from $71,150 in the East North Dakota nonmetro area to $78,220 in Minot, a gap of $7,070 a year. No other area in North Dakota has as many recruiters, and 3 of the other 5 pay less.
| Area | Median | vs Fargo | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minot, ND | +2.2% | 110 | |
| West North Dakota (Nonmetro) | +0.5% | 250 | |
| Fargo, ND-MN | this area | 720 | |
| Bismarck, ND | -0.7% | 340 | |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | -4.2% | 190 | |
| East North Dakota (Nonmetro) | -7.1% | 190 |
Fargo against other US metro areas
By number of jobs, Fargo is #164 of 521 US areas for this job. It is a mid-sized market, and its pay is in the top quarter of US areas. Outside North Dakota, Stockton-Lodi and Riverside-San Bernardino pay just above Fargo and Manhattan and Hanford-Corcoran just below. All four are within $300 a year of the median in Fargo. Of the three markets with about as many recruiters, none pays as much.
| Metro area | Median | vs Fargo | Jobs | Close in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riverside-San Bernardino, CA | +0.0% | 7,210 | pay | |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | +0.0% | 1,160 | pay | |
| Fargo, ND-MN | this area | 720 | ||
| Manhattan, KS | -0.2% | 500 | pay | |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | -0.4% | 110 | pay | |
| Killeen-Temple, TX | -8.3% | 720 | jobs | |
| Appleton, WI | -16.9% | 720 | jobs | |
| Corpus Christi, TX | -21.6% | 720 | jobs |
Questions
How much does it cost to hire a recruiter in Fargo, ND-MN?
About $98,774 a year at the median, or $8,231 a month: $76,550 in pay plus about $22,224 in benefits and payroll taxes. Recruiting, equipment and office space are extra.
What do recruiters earn in Fargo?
Pay here is higher than in three quarters of US areas. The median was $76,550 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey. The 10th percentile was $50,150, the 90th $120,730, and the middle half earned $60,710 to $92,290.
Is Fargo cheaper than the rest of North Dakota for recruiters?
No, it costs more: a median of $76,550 against $75,630 statewide. The next area up in North Dakota is the West North Dakota nonmetro area at $76,940, the next down Bismarck at $75,980.
How many recruiters work in Fargo?
BLS counts about 720 in the May 2025 survey. No other area in North Dakota has as many.
Does a recruiter cost more than an accountant in Fargo?
Yes: $130 a year more at the median. The medians are $76,550 and $76,420.
Sources
4 sources, with links
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 13-1071: bls.gov
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: bls.gov
- Stafka pricing: stafka.com
- Deel pricing, contractor management: deel.com
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-12.