Police Officer Salary in Fargo, ND: $78,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time police officer in Fargo, ND earns a median $78,511/year (≈ $37.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 33-3051). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $86,398 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.7% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, the projected police officer salary in 2026 is estimated at $78,511 annually, which closely mirrors the national median of $78,542, making pay levels in the area competitive. The salary range for police officers in this city stretches from a starting point of $62,568 at the 10th percentile to an upper tier of $98,896 at the 90th percentile. This data, sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys, highlights not only the substantial pay potential but also the benefits that come from mandatory overtime associated with court appearances and special details, which can significantly enhance officers' overall compensation through additional pay. Job stability remains strong in Fargo, with around 420 officers currently employed, underscoring the city's commitment to maintaining a robust law enforcement presence.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,568 | $30.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,659 | $32.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,511 | $37.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,499 | $41.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,896 | $47.55 |
Median Salary Position
0.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the police officer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,328 (2026 est.). At $78,511, the local median is 0.04% below the national median of $78,542.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Police Officer Pay Compares
Fargo median: $78,511/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $72,227 | +8.70% more |
| National Average | $78,542 | -0.04% less |
Police Officers in Fargo, ND earn a median of $78,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.04% lower than the national median of $78,542 and 8.70% above the North Dakota state average of $72,227.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A police officer earning $78,511 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,398 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,980
2025 BLS Actual
$76,180
2026 Current Est.
$78,511
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Salary Trajectory for Police Officers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.06% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,650 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,990 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,914 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median police officer salary grew 21.0% from $62,980 (2019) to $76,180 (2025). At a 3.06% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,914 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,934 (28.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.06% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $62,568 – $67,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,659 – $78,511 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,511 – $85,499 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,499 – $98,896 |
PO salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual police officer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Police Officer Job Market in Fargo
When evaluating police officer pay in Fargo, ND, it’s essential to consider the local job market's dynamics and cost of living. With a cost-of-living index of 90.871, which is below the national average, officers may find their take-home purchasing power positively influenced despite a modestly competitive salary environment. Among local employers, municipal police departments typically offer the highest pay compared to county sheriff’s offices and state patrols, benefiting from better union contract overtime structures and special unit assignments. The variation in salaries across the board is fueled by factors such as agency type, with federal positions generally offering superior compensation compared to urban or rural law enforcement roles. For officers looking to maximize their earnings in Fargo, strategies that focus on seeking specialty assignments and increasing educational qualifications can be effective pathways to achieving higher pay and benefits, particularly through systems that reward advanced degrees or provide additional stipends for critical assignments.
More salary data for Fargo, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in law enforcement. They specialize in community policing strategies. Jordan works with a municipal police department.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $76,180 for police officersin the Fargo metropolitan area. A 3.06% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.06%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for police officers (SOC 33-3051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, BA Criminal Justice, a licensed police officer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov