ND · Fargo · Updated October 15, 2026

Medical Assistant jobs in Fargo, ND

The median medical assistant pay in the Fargo area is $21.87 per hour ($45,490 a year), with the typical range running from $18.10 to $24.32. 8 open roles with published pay are listed for Fargo. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Fargo. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Fargo.

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Medical Assistant pay in Fargo, ND

The metro median is 11% above the North Dakota statewide median of $19.73 per hour. Nationally the median is $21.25 per hour. BLS counts about 250 medical assistants employed in the Fargo metro area, 1.7 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is less concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 0.33).

LevelPer hourPer yearCompared with U.S.
Lowest 10%$17.29$35,96019% below U.S. median
Lower quartile$18.10$37,65015% below U.S. median
Median$21.87$45,4903% above U.S. median
Upper quartile$24.32$50,59014% above U.S. median
Top 10%$27.52$57,24030% above U.S. median

How Fargo ranks

  • 93rd of 380 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
  • 26th of 339 after adjusting for local prices
  • 2nd of 3 North Dakota metro areas

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Medical Assistants (SOC 31-9092), all industries. This is what employers report paying, not an offer for a specific role.

What your pay buys in Fargo

  • Overall prices in Fargo run 9% below the U.S. average (index 90.9, U.S. = 100).
  • Housing is the biggest driver: 19% below the U.S. average (index 81.1).
  • Adjusted for local prices, a $21.87 median hour buys what $24.07 buys at the national price level, 13% above the national median.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Price Parities by metropolitan area, 2024. Prices are for the metro area, not for a single neighborhood.

Estimate your Fargo paycheck

Estimated weekly gross$787
  • Per year: $39,366
  • Per month: $3,280

Gross pay before taxes and benefits, from BLS pay levels for the Fargo metro area. For take-home pay use the take-home pay calculator.

Travel assignment per diem in Fargo

ItemFederal rate
Lodging per night$110
Meals and incidentals per day$68
Per week (7 nights, 7 days)$1,246
13-week assignment$16,198

Travel medical assistant assignments commonly pay housing and meals stipends. The GSA per diem is the federal benchmark for what those stipends can be tax-free (this is the standard rate that applies here). Whether a stipend is tax-free for you depends on keeping a valid tax home, so confirm with your recruiter and a tax professional. Compare with your offer in the travel pay calculator.

Source: U.S. General Services Administration per diem rates, fiscal year 2026 (average across months).

Hospitals in Fargo

CMS lists 4 hospitals in Fargo, 2 of the 3 rated ones with 4 or 5 stars. Hospitals are a major employer of medical assistants.

HospitalTypeOwnershipCMS ratingEmergency
Fargo Va Medical Center
Fargo, ND
Acute Care - Veterans AdministrationGovernment and federal5 of 5Yes
Sanford Medical Center Fargo
Fargo, ND
Acute careNonprofit4 of 5Yes
Essentia Health
Fargo, ND
Acute careNonprofit3 of 5Yes
Prairie St John's
Fargo, ND
PsychiatricFor-profitNot ratedNo

Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.

Primary care shortage areas in Cass County

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Cass County (1 facility). The highest-scoring one rates 21 on a 0 to 25 scale, where a higher score means a greater shortage.

Shortage areas are where demand for nurses, nurse practitioners, physician assistants and other clinicians is greatest. Federal loan repayment programs such as the NHSC and Nurse Corps cover some clinicians who work at eligible shortage-area sites. Eligibility is set by each program and by the site, so ask your recruiter before you plan around it.

Source: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas data warehouse, designated areas only. A designation can cover part of a county.

Medical Assistant pay in nearby cities

CityDistanceMedian payPopulation
Grand Forks, ND74 mi$18.85/hr59,845
St. Cloud, MN157 mi$22.47/hr72,145
Bismarck, ND186 mi$22.00/hr77,772
Maple Grove, MN202 mi$24.12/hr72,739
Coon Rapids, MN205 mi$24.12/hr63,807
Plymouth, MN206 mi$24.12/hr78,551

Medical Assistant jobs in North Dakota · Medical Assistant jobs nationwide

License and tax basics in North Dakota

Medical assistant program or equivalent experience. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Dakota requires for your role with the North Dakota licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date.

North Dakota taxes wage income. Use your own rates in the take-home pay calculator.

North Dakota state guide

Other healthcare roles in Fargo

Fargo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing

Common questions

How much do medical assistants make in Fargo, ND?

Medical Assistants in the Fargo metro area have a median pay of $21.87 per hour, about $45,490 a year. The middle half earn between $18.10 and $24.32 per hour (BLS, May 2024).

Is Fargo a good place for medical assistants once cost of living is counted?

Fargo ranks 26th of 339 metro areas for medical assistant pay after adjusting for local prices, and 93rd of 380 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.

Who is hiring medical assistants in Fargo?

We list 8 open roles with published pay from 1 employer in Fargo. Your free report adds named employers and pay near Fargo.

Do I need a North Dakota license to work in Fargo as a medical assistant?

Medical assistant program or equivalent experience. Credentials are issued state by state, so confirm what North Dakota requires for your role with the North Dakota licensing board and with your recruiter before you commit to a start date. Confirm with the board before you accept a role.

Is Fargo in a shortage area?

HRSA lists 1 active primary care shortage designation that include Cass County. Shortage areas often have more openings, and some loan repayment programs cover clinicians who work at eligible sites.

What is the per diem for a travel assignment in Fargo?

The federal per diem benchmark in Fargo is $110 a night for lodging and $68 a day for meals and incidentals, about $1,246 a week (GSA, fiscal year 2026). Your actual stipend depends on the assignment and your tax home.

Does Valorem Health place medical assistants in Fargo?

Yes. We place healthcare staff in Fargo and across North Dakota. Tell us your profession and we email the roles open near Fargo.

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Pay report · Medical Assistant near Fargo, ND
Valorem Health Shift ReportFrom your recruiting team · [email protected]

Your Medical Assistant pay reportTop-paying hospitals shown · your North Dakota list by name comes with the full report

1Pay for your role at other hospitals

  • Essentia HealthFargo, ND · 9 postings$27.15/ hr$22–$33
  • Seattle Children'sSeattle, WA · 11 postings$33.96/ hr$27–$41
  • CommonSpirit HealthSeattle, WA · 21 postings$31.77/ hr$26–$42
  • Sharp HealthCareSan Diego, CA · 11 postings$31.60/ hr$26–$37

Median posted pay per hour, with the range each employer published. Request your North Dakota list

2What they are offering now

Low$22Median$27.15High$33

10 Medical Assistant postings with published pay in North Dakota, 10 of them posted in the last 30 days. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.

3Open now: 10 Medical Assistant roles

  1. LPN or Medical Assistant - 40 Hours Weekly - Pediatric ClinicPermanent
    $21.72–$32.58/ hour
    Essentia Health · Fargo, ND · posted today
  2. LPN or Medical Assistant - Part Time Flex - Pediatric ClinicPermanent
    $21.72–$32.58/ hour
    Essentia Health · Fargo, ND · posted today

+ 8 more in your report. Each one has pay, shift and start date.

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