With a booming economy and plenty of wide open spaces, North Dakota is a great place to spread your wings and begin a remote career. Take a page from explorers Lewis and Clark and take your time discovering the beauty of the state’s majestic landscapes. If you’re wondering where to begin, check out this round-up of North Dakota remote work resources.
About North Dakota
The friendly residents of North Dakota are happy for many reasons. First, they enjoy a low cost of living and low unemployment. Easy access to nature is a close second. Outdoors men and women have plenty of natural spaces where they can hike, hunt, fish, and paddle. In addition, for those wanting an urban vibe, the cities offer culture and entertainment without the crowds and traffic congestion.
So, if you want to live in North Dakota and enjoy a remote work lifestyle to bring out your inner explorer, rest assured there are plenty of positions available throughout the state. Whether you are looking to stay on the farm or move to the city, there are opportunities to begin your remote work career today!
“I have always said I would not have been President had it not been for my experience in North Dakota.” – Theodore Roosevelt
Five Fast Facts about Working in North Dakota
90% of North Dakota’s land area is used by ranches and farms. So, it’s not surprising that North Dakota leads the nation in producing spring wheat, honey, flaxseed, and canola.
The unemployment rate in North Dakota is very low, clocking in at only 2.3% as of January 2020. This is a full percent lower than the national rate of 3.5%.
Fargo was named ZipRecruiter’s hottest market for 2020 with its booming economy based on post-secondary education, agricultural, and healthcare.
Fargo is also home to Microsoft’s largest campus outside of Seattle with 1,000+ employees.
According to Zillow, the housing market in North Dakota is cool with a median house value of $236,898 that is predicted to rise 3.4% within the next year.
North Dakota Mean Wages
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported 2018 mean wages of $23.86 per hour and $49,620 annually in North Dakota. These wages are slightly lower than the national averages of $24.98 per hour and $51,960 annually.
Fargo’s Cass County is the only county in North Dakota with employment levels above 75,000 and accounts for almost 30% of the state’s employment. Average weekly wages in this county increased 2.4% between 2017 and 2018, however at $956 per week, wages are still below the national average at $1,055.
The highest wages in the state can be found in the northwest region which is also where all the oil fields are located. Williams County has the highest weekly wages at $1,526, followed by McKenzie ($1,480) and Oliver ($1,439). While wages are high, this region also has a much higher cost of living as well.
Remote Work Incentives in North Dakota
Despite the sometimes desperate shortage of workers in the state, North Dakota does not offer incentives to lure new people to the state or to support the growth of a telecommuting workforce. This is due in part to the state’s constitution which says that the state and its political subdivisions cannot “loan or give its credit or make donations to or in aid of any individual, association or corporation except for reasonable support of the poor.”
Telecommuting, or “outstationing,” is encouraged for employees of the State Government and there are guidelines for agencies wishing to participate. They hope to allow workers to remain in rural areas and attract a more qualified pool of applicants.
Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in North Dakota
Lots of companies headquartered in the state, or that have a significant presence, offer remote positions. Many companies are clustered in the Fargo area, however, there are also well-paying positions in the northwest. Below is a selection of telecommute-friendly companies in North Dakota.
Clinical Supplies Management, Inc. (CSM)
Fargo’s Clinical Supplies Management, Inc. is a group of complementary businesses that work together to facilitate speedy clinical trials. Products and services include clinical packaging and labeling solutions for the global biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The company promotes a healthy life-work balance for its employees and occasionally offers remote jobs. A recent example of a posted position was for a Remote Associate Business Development Manager.
Discovery Benefits
Discovery Benefits is a fast-growing employee benefits administration company. Known for its success in simplifying benefits administration by leveraging technology and providing high standards of customer service. Located in Fargo, this company prides itself on its positive employee culture and sometimes offers remote work opportunities. An example of the type of position they may advertise for is a Remote Participant Services Specialist.
Neustel Law Offices, Ltd.
Located in Fargo, Neustel Law Offices, Ltd. Is a law firm that specializes in the patent process for inventors. The company provides patent protection, litigation avoidance, litigation services, trademark protection, contract preparation, and copyright protection. Neustel advertised for 19 remote positions in the last couple of years with a few being location-specific. Examples of telecommute positions include an Telecommute IP Litigation Attorney and a Remote Patent Prosecution Attorney.
Microsoft Corporation
Microsoft Corporation is a global manufacturer of personal computers and software. The company has invested heavily in developing its Fargo, North Dakota Campus and partnering on innovative farming projects. Microsoft Corporation frequently hires workers on a telecommute basis and some telecommute jobs may be location-specific. Recent advertised positions include Remote Financial Services Azure Training Program Manager, Remote Software Engineer II in Reston, and Telecommute Software Engineer in San Francisco.
Noridian Healthcare Solutions, LLC
Noridian Healthcare Solutions in Fargo is a healthcare administration company that specializes in government contracting. Services offered include claims processing, electronic data interchange, provider enrollment, and call centers. Noridian advertised almost 50 telecommute job opportunities between 2018 and 2019. A recent example was a posting for a Telecommute CERT Coordinator Registered Nurse in Fargo.
Ulteig
A civil engineering consultancy, Ulteig designs and plans power, renewables, transportation, and water infrastructure projects. Headquartered in Fargo, the company’s services include civil site development, project management, construction management, energy planning, and land surveying. In 2019, Ulteig recruited for 48 telecommuting jobs. Opportunities may include a Telecommute Substation Electrical Engineer and a Remote Transmission and Distribution Engineer.
VocoVision
VocoVision offers therapy and educational services for children using mobile and online applications to provide access to specialized professionals regardless of location or disability. Although headquartered in Skokie, Illinois, the company fills positions for multiple school districts in Fargo that require state licensing and residence. Examples of jobs offered include Virtual School Psychologist in Fargo, Virtual School Speech Language Pathologist in Bismarck, and Telecommute School Psychologist in Williston.
North Dakota Coworking Centers for Remote Work
Coworking spaces are popping up all over to provide remote workers with well-equipped communal office spaces where they can get productive. Many enjoy spending at least part of the work week in a coworking space as a way to stave off feelings of isolation and expand their professional networks. Coworking spaces are membership based. You can choose from a variety of subscription options depending on how much time you wish to spend there and the services you may require. Below are a few options you can find in North Dakota.
You’ll find even more North Dakota remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the North Dakota Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.
How Virtual Vocations Can Assist You in Your North Dakota Remote Job Search
No matter where you wish to call your home in North Dakota, Virtual Vocations can help you succeed in your search for the perfect telecommute position. In addition to our carefully vetted database of over 20,000 remote jobs, our comprehensive suite of services includes the following:
Our soup-to-nuts Telecommute Handbook
Company profiles for over 20,000 telecommute-friendly companies
Industry guides for telecommuters
E-courses to help you with your job search and related documents
Professional writing services for updating your resume, cover letter, and/or LinkedIn profile
Don’t delay! Get your Virtual Vocations subscription today and start the search for your new remote job.
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