Business Analyst.
Fargo.
$86,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$65,000 to $113,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates Business Analyst pay in Fargo at $86,000, within a range of $65,000 to $113,000. That is 15% 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 Business Analyst 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 $90,220 for Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 620 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$53,390
25th percentile
$67,490
Median
$90,220
75th percentile
$97,820
90th percentile
$125,270
Workers surveyed
620
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Management Analysts (SOC 13-1111) rather than Business Analyst 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 13-1111Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $77,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$56,000
to $69,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$73,000
to $90,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$95,000
to $112,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$108,000
to $133,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $25,000 to the total package.
Base
$86,000
Equity
$14,000
Bonus
$9,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $111,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$86,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$101,000
Fargo is $15,000 below
Business Analyst salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Business Analyst 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. Technical depth separates pay tiers for business analysts. Those proficient in SQL, Python, and BI tools like Tableau earn 15 to 20% more than peers focused solely on requirements gathering. Domain expertise in finance, healthcare, or supply chain commands additional premiums due to regulatory complexity.
Junior business analysts start at $58,000 to $72,000. Mid-level analysts with domain specialization earn $80,000 to $100,000. Senior business analysts reach $105,000 to $125,000, and the path forward leads to product management or analytics leadership roles paying $130,000 to $160,000. 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. Bonuses range from 5 to 15% of base salary, with consulting firms offering the highest variable pay. Equity is uncommon except at tech companies, where RSUs can add $5,000 to $20,000 annually. 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 $86,000, 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 Business Analysts in Fargo runs from $65,000 to $113,000. 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 Mechanical Engineer in Fargo earns $87,000 (1% more)
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Common questions.
Business Analyst salary in other cities.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Business Analyst Salary in Fargo, ND." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/business-analyst/fargo
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