Investment Banker.
Fargo.
$88,000
median salary, 13% below the national average
$68,000 to $116,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Investment Banker salary in Fargo is $88,000, 13% below the national average. Entry level starts near $68,000. Experienced professionals push past $116,000. 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. That spread is your negotiation window. 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 Investment Banker 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 $79,930 for Financial and Investment Analysts (SOC 13-2051) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 160 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$51,750
25th percentile
$60,040
Median
$79,930
75th percentile
$97,550
90th percentile
$141,240
Workers surveyed
160
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Financial and Investment Analysts (SOC 13-2051) rather than Investment Banker specifically. The Fargorange 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 13-2051Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $79,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$57,000
to $70,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$75,000
to $92,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$97,000
to $114,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$110,000
to $136,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $20,000 to the total package.
Base
$88,000
Equity
$11,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $108,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$88,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$101,000
Fargo is $13,000 below
Investment Banker salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
If you are interviewing for Investment Banker 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. Bank prestige tier and deal flow drive enormous salary differences. Analysts and associates at bulge bracket firms (Goldman Sachs, Morgan Stanley, JPMorgan) earn 20 to 40% more than those at middle-market banks. Industry group specialization in technology, healthcare, or energy M&A further increases compensation potential.
Analysts start at $110,000 to $130,000 base with $80,000 to $120,000 bonuses. Associates earn $150,000 to $200,000 base with $100,000 to $200,000 bonuses. VPs reach $250,000 to $350,000 base. Managing directors earn $400,000 to $600,000 base with total compensation often exceeding $1 million. 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. Bonuses are the defining feature of investment banking pay, typically ranging from 50 to 100% of base salary. First-year analysts receive $80,000 to $120,000 bonuses at top firms. Total compensation for associates regularly exceeds $300,000 to $400,000 including year-end bonuses and stub bonuses. 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 $88,000, 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 Investment Bankers in Fargo runs from $68,000 to $116,000. 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
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Common questions.
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