How much does a Teacher make in North Dakota?

BLS puts the average Teacher pay in North Dakota at $59,140 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in North Dakota, after federal taxes, FICA, and North Dakota state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $49,699 annually ($4,142/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Teacher in North Dakota?

On a $59,140 salary in North Dakota, your take-home pay is approximately $49,699/year or $4,142/month. Federal tax: $4,917. State tax: $0. FICA: $4,524.

Is $59,140 a good Teacher salary?

$59,140 is the BLS average Teacher pay in North Dakota, 19% below the US average of $72,650 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in North Dakota earn between $49,360 and $61,970.

How do North Dakota taxes affect Teacher salaries?

North Dakota levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $59,140 is $0. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 16.0%.

What are the career growth prospects for Teachers?

In North Dakota, the top 10% earn over $75,990 and the bottom 10% under $46,530 (BLS, May 2025). 2% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Elementary Teacher, High School Teacher, Special Ed Teacher, Substitute Teacher.

How can a Teacher in North Dakota reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Education

Teacher Salary in North Dakota (2026)

Average Teacher pay in North Dakota

$59,140/year

≈ $28/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $49,360–$61,970

US average: $72,650

Source: BLS, May 2025 · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education

After tax (single filer)

$49,699/year

$4,142/month · effective tax rate 15.96%

Federal $4,917
FICA $4,524
Take-home

Pay by role in North Dakota

Special Education TeacherBLS · 75th–90th percentile$60,670–$77,150
Teacher (mid career)BLS · middle 50%$49,360–$61,970
Teacher (early career)BLS · 10th–25th percentile$46,530–$49,360

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$49,699
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$4,142
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$1,911
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$24/hr
Federal Tax	$4,917
State Tax	$0
FICA Taxes	$4,524
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	15.96%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Teachers earn the same — not even close

North Dakota's teacher market is anchored by North Dakota public school districts (Fargo Public Schools + Bismarck Public Schools + Grand Forks Public + West Fargo + Minot Public + Williston Public + the substantial ND 175 districts + ~110K K-12 students + the substantial ND post-Bakken Western ND teacher shortage + the substantial Williston + Watford City + Stanley + Killdeer post-2010 oil boom enrollment surge + post-2024 ND teacher pay legislation), the substantial Bureau of Indian Education BIE 5 reservation schools (Standing Rock + Spirit Lake + MHA Nation + Turtle Mountain + Sisseton-Wahpeton BIE schools + federal GS pay scale), University of North Dakota College of Education & Human Development Grand Forks + North Dakota State University School of Education Fargo + Minot State University Teacher Education + Dickinson State College of Education + Mayville State University + Valley City State, plus ND TFFR Teachers' Fund for Retirement.

Special Education Teacher

$60,670–$77,150

SPED teacher · ND shortage area + stipend premium + sustained federal funding

Source: BLS May 2025 · Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School · North Dakota · 75th–90th percentile

Teacher (mid career)

$49,360–$61,970

Functional teacher at ND districts · transitioning to senior band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · North Dakota · middle 50%

Teacher (early career)

$46,530–$49,360

New teacher at ND districts · entry band + ND TFFR membership

Source: BLS May 2025 · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · North Dakota · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Post-2010 Bakken oil boom + the substantial Western ND teacher shortage with housing stipends is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state oil boomtown teacher anchor and a feature most national teacher surveys understate for ND. The substantial post-2010 Bakken-area teacher market (the substantial post-2010 Bakken oil boom enrollment surge in Williston + Watford City + Stanley + Killdeer + Tioga + New Town + the substantial post-2010 Bakken-area teacher housing stipend programs as the substantial post-2010 ND oil boom strained Williston + Watford rental housing + the substantial post-2014 Bakken price crash teacher retention + post-2020 Bakken recovery + the substantial post-2024 Western ND school district teacher recruitment incentive + the substantial post-Bakken substantial Williston + Watford City enrollment doubling 2010-2020) supports distinctive ND Bakken teacher market. The substantial BIE Bureau of Indian Education 5 ND reservation schools (Standing Rock schools Fort Yates + Spirit Lake BIE + MHA Nation New Town + Turtle Mountain BIE Belcourt + Sisseton-Wahpeton + federal GS pay scale + Teacher Loan Forgiveness + eligibility) supports substantial ND BIE teacher work. UND College of Education + NDSU School of Education + Minot State + Dickinson State + Mayville State + Valley City State + ND TFFR pension. ND flat 1.95%/2.5% top + ND RTW since 1948 anchor the ND teacher proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Teachers in North Dakota and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and North Dakota 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers