Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in Fargo, ND
The median medical laboratory scientist pay in the Fargo area is $29.10 per hour ($60,520 a year), with the typical range running from $22.79 to $34.15. That ranks 149th of 355 U.S. metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay, and 102nd of 317 once local prices are factored in. The CMS hospital directory lists 4 hospitals in Fargo. Your free pay report adds named employers and the roles open near Fargo.
- $29.10median pay per hour, Fargo
- $23–$34typical range per hour
- 510employed in the metro area
- 91cost of living index (U.S. = 100)
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in Fargo, ND
The metro median is 2% below the North Dakota statewide median of $29.71 per hour. Nationally the median is $29.75 per hour. BLS counts about 510 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians employed in the Fargo metro area, 3.5 per 1,000 jobs. Employment is more concentrated here than in the country as a whole (location quotient 1.56).
| Level | Per hour | Per year | Compared with U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lowest 10% | $17.66 | $36,730 | 41% below U.S. median |
| Lower quartile | $22.79 | $47,400 | 23% below U.S. median |
| Median | $29.10 | $60,520 | 2% below U.S. median |
| Upper quartile | $34.15 | $71,030 | 15% above U.S. median |
| Top 10% | $38.81 | $80,720 | 30% above U.S. median |
How Fargo ranks
- 149th of 355 U.S. metro areas by median hourly pay
- 102nd of 317 after adjusting for local prices
- 4th of 4 North Dakota metro areas
BLS does not publish a separate figure for medical laboratory scientist. These numbers are for the broader category it belongs to, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians (SOC 29-2010), 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 $29.10 median hour buys what $32.02 buys at the national price level, 8% 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.
Get the Fargo Medical Laboratory Scientist pay report
Named employers near Fargo, what they pay and the roles open now. Free for candidates, email only.
Get my free pay reportEstimate your Fargo paycheck
- Per year: $52,380
- Per month: $4,365
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
| Item | Federal 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 laboratory scientist 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 laboratory scientists.
| Hospital | Type | Ownership | CMS rating | Emergency |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fargo Va Medical Center Fargo, ND | Acute Care - Veterans Administration | Government and federal | 5 of 5 | Yes |
| Sanford Medical Center Fargo Fargo, ND | Acute care | Nonprofit | 4 of 5 | Yes |
| Essentia Health Fargo, ND | Acute care | Nonprofit | 3 of 5 | Yes |
| Prairie St John's Fargo, ND | Psychiatric | For-profit | Not rated | No |
Source: CMS Hospital General Information, public data. A directory of hospitals, not a list of our clients.
Medical Laboratory Scientist pay in nearby cities
| City | Distance | Median pay | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND | 74 mi | $29.25/hr | 59,845 |
| St. Cloud, MN | 157 mi | $30.87/hr | 72,145 |
| Bismarck, ND | 186 mi | $29.83/hr | 77,772 |
| Maple Grove, MN | 202 mi | $31.81/hr | 72,739 |
| Coon Rapids, MN | 205 mi | $31.81/hr | 63,807 |
| Plymouth, MN | 206 mi | $31.81/hr | 78,551 |
Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs in North Dakota · Medical Laboratory Scientist jobs nationwide
License and tax basics in North Dakota
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. 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.
Other healthcare roles in Fargo
Fargo city guide: hospitals, employers and licensing
Common questions
How much do medical laboratory scientists make in Fargo, ND?
Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Fargo metro area have a median pay of $29.10 per hour, about $60,520 a year. The middle half earn between $22.79 and $34.15 per hour (BLS, May 2024).
Is Fargo a good place for medical laboratory scientists once cost of living is counted?
Fargo ranks 102nd of 317 metro areas for medical laboratory scientist pay after adjusting for local prices, and 149th of 355 before adjusting. Overall prices run 9% below the U.S. average.
Where do medical laboratory scientists work in Fargo?
CMS lists 4 hospitals in Fargo, led by Fargo Va Medical Center. Ask for the free report to see current openings and pay.
Do I need a North Dakota license to work in Fargo as a medical laboratory scientist?
Bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science or a related science. 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.
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 laboratory scientists 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.
What do employers near Fargo pay medical laboratory scientists? Get the report.
Tell us your role and city. Within 24 hours you get an email with three things, by employer name. It costs you nothing, because employers pay us.
- 1Pay for your role at other employers
The hourly pay at named employers near you, so you see who pays most.
- 2What they are offering now
The pay range and median across current postings, and how many were posted this month.
- 3Roles open for you right now
Every current opening near you with pay, shift and start date. Reply with one click.
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20+ Medical Laboratory Scientist roles in North Dakota, sent free by email
Tell us who you are and what you do. We email the report within 24 hours on business days.
Your Lab Scientist pay reportFargo, ND · employer-reported wage offers in federal filings, July 2025 – June 2026
1Pay for your role at other employers
- Sanford HealthFargo, ND · 5 wage offers$31.72/ hr$22–$33
- SanfordFargo, ND · 6 wage offers$23.95/ hr$18–$25
- Altru Health SystemGrand Forks, ND · 2 wage offers$36.54/ hr$36–$38
- McKenzie County Healthcare Systems, IncWatford, ND · 3 wage offers$35.74/ hr$34–$50
Median pay per hour, with the range each employer reported in federal filings.
2What they are offering now
78 employer-reported wage offers for Lab Scientist in federal filings in North Dakota, July 2025 – June 2026. Month-by-month history by employer comes with your full report.
3Open Lab Scientist roles
Open Lab Scientist roles near Fargo, ND, each with pay, shift and start date, arrive with your report.