AI Data Scientist.
Fargo.
$93,000
median salary, 18% below the national average
$64,000 to $134,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates AI Data Scientist pay in Fargo at $93,000, within a range of $64,000 to $134,000. That is 18% below the national average. Fargo has a surprisingly strong technology sector, home to companies like Microsoft's campus and a growing startup ecosystem tied to North Dakota State University. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for AI Data Scientist in Fargo, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $92,050 for Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 100 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$66,280
25th percentile
$76,530
Median
$92,050
75th percentile
$116,860
90th percentile
$136,620
Workers surveyed
100
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Data Scientists (SOC 15-2051) rather than AI Data Scientist specifically. The Fargo range at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 15-2051Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $84,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$60,000
to $74,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$79,000
to $98,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$102,000
to $121,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$116,000
to $144,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $45,000 to the total package.
Base
$93,000
Equity
$27,000
Bonus
$12,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $138,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$93,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$113,000
Fargo is $20,000 below
AI Data Scientist salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for AI Data Scientist roles in Fargo, here is what you are walking into. Fargo has a surprisingly strong technology sector, home to companies like Microsoft's campus and a growing startup ecosystem tied to North Dakota State University. The city's extremely low cost of living and emerging tech scene make it an increasingly attractive option for professionals seeking affordability. AI data scientists who combine statistical modeling with production ML deployment earn the highest salaries. Industry sector matters significantly, with finance and healthcare paying 15 to 25% above retail or media. Proficiency in both Python and cloud ML platforms like SageMaker or Vertex AI is increasingly expected and adds 10 to 15% to offers.
Junior AI data scientists earn $115,000 to $135,000 with a master's degree. Mid-level scientists with 3 to 5 years reach $152,000 to $198,000. Senior data scientists earn $200,000 to $260,000, while principal scientists and directors of data science can command $280,000 to $380,000. In Fargo, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 15% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Total compensation at tech companies includes RSUs worth 15 to 30% of base salary and annual bonuses of 10 to 20%. Financial services firms substitute higher cash bonuses of 25 to 50% in lieu of equity, making total compensation comparable. And on the tax side: north Dakota has a very low income tax with a top rate of just 2.5%. Fargo has no city income tax. The minimal tax burden combined with low living costs creates excellent take home pay. When someone quotes you $93,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight willingness to work on site. Fargo tech employers struggle to recruit talent to the region and reward candidates who commit to living locally. The range for AI Data Scientists in Fargo runs from $64,000 to $134,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A UX Designer in Fargo earns $92,000 (1% less)
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- See all ai research roles tracked in Orbyt Intelligence
Common questions.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"AI Data Scientist Salary in Fargo, ND." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/ai-data-scientist/fargo
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