Medical Assistant.
Fargo.
$37,000
median salary, 16% below the national average
$32,000 to $41,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
Orbyt estimates Medical Assistant pay in Fargo at $37,000, within a range of $32,000 to $41,000. That is 16% 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 Medical Assistant 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 $47,280 for Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 290 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$37,650
25th percentile
$39,090
Median
$47,280
75th percentile
$56,640
90th percentile
$58,230
Workers surveyed
290
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092) rather than Medical Assistant 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 31-9092Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $33,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$24,000
to $30,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$31,000
to $39,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$41,000
to $48,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$46,000
to $57,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $8,000 to the total package.
Base
$37,000
Equity
$4,000
Bonus
$3,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $45,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$37,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$44,000
Fargo is $7,000 below
Medical Assistant salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Medical Assistant 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. Certification status is the largest pay differentiator, with CMA and RMA credentials adding 10 to 15% over uncertified MAs. Specialty practices like dermatology, orthopedics, and cardiology pay more than general primary care. Urban areas and hospital-owned practices consistently offer higher wages than rural independent clinics.
Entry-level MAs start at $30,000 to $34,000 without certification. Certified MAs with three to five years of experience earn $38,000 to $44,000. Lead MAs or clinical supervisors overseeing support staff can reach $46,000 to $55,000 in larger practices or health systems. 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. Medical assistants typically receive health insurance, paid time off, and retirement plan access. Some employers offer tuition assistance for nursing or allied health programs, which adds long-term value beyond the base salary. 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 $37,000, 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 Medical Assistants in Fargo runs from $32,000 to $41,000. 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 Pharmacy Technician in Fargo earns $38,000 (3% more)
- The highest-paying role in Fargo is CTO at $258,000
Common questions.
Medical Assistant salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Fargo.
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Medical Assistant Salary in Fargo, ND." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/medical-assistant/fargo
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