Entry-Level Nurse Practitioner Salary in Mandan, ND: $100,217 (2026)
Quick Answer:New nurse practitioners entering the Mandan, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $100,217 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1171, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mandan's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $108,932 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($117,684) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the field in Mandan, North Dakota, expectations around the starting nurse practitioner salary are realistic but require careful consideration. In 2026, entry-level positions may offer salaries beginning at approximately $100,217, which sits somewhat below the city's median salary of $117,684. However, with experience and skill development, new grads can anticipate a progressive salary increase, moving toward pivotal thresholds at the P25 level of $107,827 over their initial years. Given the region's projected growth rate of 3.45% annually, Mandan presents a moderately favorable market for new nurse practitioners, making it essential for graduates to leverage local opportunities to bridge the gap between entry-level pay and the regional median.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($125,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mandan
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mandan
Entry-level nurse practitioners in Mandan, ND typically start between $100,217 and $107,827 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,032 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $117,684 — 14.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average advanced practice nursing program cost in North Dakota of $70,000 represents just 69.85% of the starting nurse practitioner pay ($100,217/year) in Mandan. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on CCNE- and ACEN-accredited graduate nursing programs. Tuition varies significantly between public in-state MSN programs and private DNP programs, and often requires completed BSN coursework as a prerequisite.
NP Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Mandan
- 1Research the Mandan market: entry-level nurse practitioner pay ranges from $100,217 to $107,827, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the advanced practice nursing field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mandan, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Mandan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mandan's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Nurse Practitioner Compensation Range
The nurse practitioner wage spread in Mandan is $47,032 ( 46.93%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $100,217, experienced hygienists can earn up to $147,249.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$77,823
2025 BLS Actual
$96,875
2026 Current Est.
$100,217
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Nurse Practitioners in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.45% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,305 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,969 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,492 | Actual |
| 2023 | $90,365 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,633 | Actual |
| 2025 | $96,875 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,217 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,675 | Projected |
Entry-level nurse practitioner compensation (10th percentile) in Mandan, ND grew 24.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $77,823 in 2019 to $96,875 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $103,675. New graduates entering the Mandan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan 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 3.45% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your advanced practice nursing Career in Mandan
When beginning their careers, new nurse practitioners can find employment opportunities in Mandan’s primary care offices and urgent care chains, which often welcome recent graduates with structured onboarding programs. In addition, large hospital systems frequently offer NP residency or fellowship programs, providing further training and experience. For those specializing as psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners (PMHNPs), telehealth platforms have emerged as viable employers. To enhance starting pay in North Dakota, candidates should hold an active RN license, complete an MSN or DNP, and achieve national certification from recognized bodies such as ANCC or AANP. Understanding that NP scope-of-practice varies significantly by state, and that PMHNPs generally command higher salaries due to prevailing demand in mental health, new nurse practitioners in Mandan can set realistic growth expectations in their first few years, incrementally working towards aligned salaries with both state and national averages.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for nurse practitioners in Mandan in 2026?
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Is advanced practice nursing school worth it in Mandan?
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Written by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C
Career Analyst
Maria has 10 years of experience in adult healthcare. She works in a community health clinic. Her specialty is chronic disease management.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new advanced practice nursing graduates. A 3.45% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Mandan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.45%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for nurse practitioners (SOC 29-1171).
Compiled and verified by Maria Gonzalez, MSN, NP-C, a licensed nurse practitioner with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov