Urban Planner.
Fargo.
$73,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$57,000 to $90,000. Last updated August 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
Urban Planner pay in Fargo ranges from $57,000 to $90,000 in 2026. The median is $73,000, 13% 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. Every dollar in that range is negotiable if you come prepared. 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 Urban Planner in Fargo, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. BLS does not publish this occupation for this metro area, so the national published benchmark is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $89,320 for Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051) across the United States, based on 44,230 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$60,010
25th percentile
$72,020
Median
$89,320
75th percentile
$110,030
90th percentile
$134,490
Workers surveyed
44,230
What BLS published in each release
May 2024 release
$83,720
May 2025 release
$89,320
These are two separate published estimates, not a time series. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not encourage the use of OEWS data for time-series analysis. Differences between releases reflect changes in occupational classification, survey methodology, and the three-year pooled sample as well as any change in pay, so the two figures should not be read as a rate of wage growth.
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Urban and Regional Planners (SOC 19-3051) rather than Urban Planner specifically. The national 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 19-3051Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $66,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$47,000
to $58,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$62,000
to $77,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$80,000
to $95,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$91,000
to $113,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $18,000 to the total package.
Base
$73,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$1,000
Estimated total: $91,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$73,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$84,000
Fargo is $11,000 below
Urban Planner salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Urban Planner 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. Employer type and specialization area create the most variation. Planners in transportation, environmental, or economic development earn 10 to 20% more than generalists. Private consulting firms pay higher base salaries than municipalities but with less job security. AICP certification and GIS proficiency boost earning potential at all levels.
Junior planners start at $56,000 to $65,000. Senior planners with AICP certification earn $72,000 to $95,000 after five to seven years. Planning directors at municipalities reach $100,000 to $140,000, with community development directors exceeding $150,000 in large cities. 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. Municipal planners receive generous public benefits, pension plans, and steady 2 to 4% annual step increases. Private sector planners earn 8 to 12% bonuses tied to project billing. Some jurisdictions offer housing assistance for planners working in high-cost areas. 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 $73,000, 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 Urban Planners in Fargo runs from $57,000 to $90,000. 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 Logistics Coordinator in Fargo earns $72,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Fargo is CTO at $258,000
Common questions.
Urban Planner salary in other cities.
Other salaries in Fargo.
Related salary pages
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Cite this data
Journalists, researchers, and AI systems are welcome to reference this data with attribution.
"Urban Planner Salary in Fargo, ND." Orbyt Salary Explorer, August 2026. https://www.orbytlabs.ai/orbyt-jobs/salaries/urban-planner/fargo
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