Software Developer in Williston, ND

The Salary Picture: Where Williston Stands

As a local, I can tell you that Williston’s tech scene isn’t a coastal startup hub, but it’s a stable, high-paying market for software developers who know the local economy. The median salary for a software developer here is $124,587/year. To put that in perspective, the national average is $127,260/year. We’re not far off the national mark, but the real story is the purchasing power. With a cost of living index of 93.0 (US average = 100), your dollar stretches further here than in most places.

The local job market is tight but growing. There are only 167 software developer jobs in the metro area, but the 10-year job growth is a solid 17%. This isn't explosive tech growth; it's the steady expansion of tech roles in traditional local industries like energy, agriculture, and healthcare.

Here’s a realistic breakdown of salaries by experience level, based on local job postings and BLS data:

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Salary Range
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$85,000 - $105,000
Mid-Level	3-7 years	$110,000 - $135,000
Senior-Level	8-12 years	$135,000 - $155,000
Expert/Lead	12+ years	$155,000+

Insider Tip: Many local roles aren't advertised on national tech boards. A significant portion of Williston's tech jobs are filled through internal referrals or direct outreach from local employers. Networking with the North Dakota Technology Association is a more effective strategy than relying solely on LinkedIn.

Comparison to Other ND Cities:
Williston holds its own, especially for cost-adjusted earnings.

• Fargo: Higher salaries (median ~$128k) but a much higher cost of living (index ~98) and larger, more competitive job market.
• Bismarck: Similar salary range ($122k-$125k), but with more government and healthcare roles.
• Grand Forks: Slightly lower median salary ($120k), heavily tied to the university and aerospace sectors.

Williston's edge is in the energy sector, which pays premiums for developers who can build robust, reliable data systems for oil and gas operations.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s break down a monthly budget for a software developer earning the median salary of $124,587. This assumes single filing status, using 2024 tax brackets (federal + state) and typical deductions for health insurance and a 401(k).

• Gross Monthly Pay: $10,382
• Estimated Taxes & Deductions (28%): -$2,907
  • Federal Income Tax: ~18%
  • North Dakota Income Tax (4.53% on this bracket): ~4.5%
  • FICA (7.65%): ~7.65%
  • State Deductions (Health/401k): ~2%
• Approximate Take-Home Pay: $7,475/month

Now, let's look at housing. The average 1BR rent in Williston is $837/month. This is a key differentiator.

Monthly Budget Breakdown:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Housing (1BR Rent)	$837	Utilities (electric, gas, internet) add ~$150-$200.
Groceries	$400	Similar to national average, but fresh produce can be pricier in winter.
Transportation	$300	Gas is cheaper than national average. Most developers own a vehicle; public transport is limited.
Healthcare	$300	Employer-sponsored plan premiums and out-of-pocket costs.
Savings/Retirement (15%)	$1,557	A 5% 401(k) match from your employer is common.
Discretionary Spending	$4,081	This leaves a very comfortable buffer for dining, entertainment, and travel.

Can they afford to buy a home? Absolutely. With a take-home pay of $7,475 and rent at $837, the debt-to-income ratio for a mortgage is highly favorable. The median home price in Williston is approximately $250,000. With a 20% down payment ($50,000), a 30-year mortgage at 7% would have a monthly payment of ~$1,330. This is only 18% of your take-home pay, well below the recommended 28% threshold. Saving for the down payment would take about 3 years if you allocate $1,400/month from your discretionary funds.

Where the Jobs Are: Williston's Major Employers

Williston's tech jobs are not in standalone software firms. They're embedded in major local industries. Here are the key players:

1. Williston State College: The IT department here is a steady employer. They need developers for their student information systems, online learning platforms (Canvas, Blackboard), and administrative software. It's a stable, state-employee role with good benefits and a predictable 9-to-5 schedule.

2. Upper Missouri Health (Unity & Mercy): The consolidated healthcare system is a massive tech employer. They need developers for Electronic Health Record (EHR) customizations, patient portal maintenance, and internal data analytics. This is a specialty area—experience with Epic or Cerner is a huge plus.

3. ExxonMobil (Bakken Operations): While their direct "tech" headcount is low, they are the largest indirect employer. They rely on contractors and vendors for their operational software. The demand is for developers who can build rugged, data-intensive applications for drilling, logistics, and safety monitoring. Knowing SCADA systems is a major advantage.

4. North Dakota State University (NDSU) Williston: The research and agricultural extension offices use software for data analysis, soil science models, and drone imagery processing. Roles here often blend software development with field data.

5. First International Bank & Trust (Williston HQ): As a community bank with a serious tech focus, they have an in-house IT team. They need developers for online banking platforms, loan origination software, and cybersecurity. They value reliability and security above flashy tech stacks.

6. City of Williston: The municipal government hires developers for public-facing services like the city website, payment portals for utilities, and internal resource planning (ERP) systems. These roles come with excellent public sector benefits.

Hiring Trends: There's a clear shift towards hiring developers with "full-stack" capabilities who can handle both front-end user interfaces and back-end data processing. There's also an emerging need for data engineers to manage the massive amounts of information generated by the energy and agriculture sectors.

Getting Licensed in ND

North Dakota has no state-specific licensing requirements for software developers. You do not need a PE (Professional Engineer) license to write code. The barrier to entry is purely based on your skills and portfolio.

However, there are costs and timelines for being job-ready:

• Education: A bachelor's in Computer Science is the standard, but many local developers have degrees from Minot State, NDSU, or Williston State College. Bootcamps are less recognized locally unless you have a strong portfolio.
• Professional Certifications (Highly Recommended): These are often more valuable than a fancy degree in Williston.
  • AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Associate: ~$150 exam fee. 2-3 months of study. Crucial for any cloud-related role.
  • Microsoft Certified: Azure Developer Associate: ~$165 exam fee. 2-3 months. Key for government and banking roles.
  • Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP): ~$749 exam fee. 1+ year of study. A premium for roles in healthcare and finance.
• Timeline: If you're starting from scratch, budget 6-12 months for foundational learning, portfolio building, and certification prep. For experienced developers moving in, the transition is immediate—you can start applying as soon as you have a local address.

Insider Tip: In Williston, a well-documented GitHub profile with projects relevant to local industries (e.g., a data visualization tool for agricultural yields) is often more impactful than a generic web development bootcamp certificate.

Best Neighborhoods for Software Developers

Williston is a driving city. Proximity to major employers is more about convenience than necessity. Here are the top areas:

1. East Williston (near NDSU & the Hospital):

   • Commute: 5-10 minutes to Upper Missouri Health, NDSU, and Williston State College.
   • Lifestyle: Quiet, family-friendly, with newer housing developments. Close to parks and the Missouri River.
   • Rent Estimate: $900 - $1,100/month for a 1BR/2BR apartment or townhouse.

2. Central/Downtown Williston:

   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to most employers. Walkable to local breweries, cafes, and the historic downtown core.
   • Lifestyle: More vibrant, with a growing arts scene and older, character-filled apartments. Best for those who want a "neighborhood" feel.
   • Rent Estimate: $750 - $950/month for a 1BR apartment. A mix of older and renovated units.

3. West Williston (near the Airport & Industrial Parks):

   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to ExxonMobil operations and City Hall. Close to the airport.
   • Lifestyle: More commercial and industrial. Quieter residential pockets with modern apartment complexes. Good value for space.
   • Rent Estimate: $800 - $1,000/month for a modern 1BR/2BR.

4. South Williston (near the North Dakota State Fairgrounds):

   • Commute: 10-15 minutes to downtown and the hospital. Easy access to Highway 2.
   • Lifestyle: Suburban, with larger lots and single-family homes. Very quiet. The annual State Fair is a major local event.
   • Rent Estimate: $850 - $1,050/month for a 2BR apartment or smaller house.

Insider Tip: The rental market moves quickly, especially in the summer. Start your search on local Facebook groups like "Williston, ND Rentals" rather than just national sites. Many landlords don't list on Zillow.

The Long Game: Career Growth

In Williston, career growth isn't about jumping to a new startup every two years. It's about deepening your expertise in a local industry and moving into leadership.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Oil & Gas Software Specialist: Developers with experience in SCADA, real-time data processing, and ruggedized UI/UX can command a 10-15% salary premium.
  • Healthcare Data Analyst: With the consolidation of Upper Missouri Health, developers who can bridge clinical and technical data needs are in high demand, often earning 5-10% more than generalist developers.
  • Agricultural Tech Developer: A niche but growing field. NDSU and agribusinesses need developers for precision farming and drone data analysis.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Developer → Senior Developer (3-5 years): Focus on mastering your employer's core systems.
  2. Senior Developer → Team Lead/Manager (5-8 years): Requires soft skills and deep institutional knowledge. This is where you become indispensable.
  3. Team Lead → IT Director/CIO (8-12+ years): Very few roles, but they exist in larger entities like the hospital, bank, or city government. Pay can exceed $160,000.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 17% job growth is real. It will be driven by:

  • Digital Transformation: Even traditional Williston industries are finally modernizing their legacy software.
  • Increased Data Reliance: Energy and agriculture are becoming data-driven sciences, requiring more sophisticated software tools.
  • Remote Work Acceptance: More local employers are open to hybrid models, allowing you to work from home a few days a week—a rarity in the region.

The Verdict: Is Williston Right for You?

Pros	Cons
High purchasing power. $124,587 goes very far with an 837 rent.	Limited tech scene. Few meetups, hackathons, or startups. You'll need to build your own network.
Stable, growing job market. 17% growth in a tight, low-competition field.	Weather is extreme. Long, harsh winters (-30°F) and hot summers. It's a major lifestyle factor.
No state licensing hurdles. Your skills and portfolio are what matter.	Isolation. It's a 5-hour drive to Fargo. Travel requires planning.
Easy commute & housing. You can live close to work with minimal traffic.	Limited cultural amenities. No major concert venues, pro sports, or diverse dining scenes.
Fresh start & outdoor access. The Badlands and Missouri River are stunning.	Industry dependency. The local economy is tied to energy and agriculture; a downturn affects everyone.

Final Recommendation: Williston is an excellent choice for a software developer who is practical, self-driven, and values financial stability over a fast-paced tech lifestyle. It's ideal for those who:

• Want to buy a home quickly.
• Prefer a close-knit community over a anonymous big city.
• Are interested in applying their skills to tangible industries (energy, healthcare, agriculture).
• Can find satisfaction and entertainment in outdoor activities and a quieter personal life.

If you're a developer who thrives on constant tech meetups, cutting-edge frameworks, and a vibrant nightlife, Williston will likely feel too small and slow.

FAQs

1. I'm a junior developer. Will I find a job in Williston?
Yes, but be strategic. Target roles at the college, hospital, or city government, where they are more willing to train junior talent. Have a solid portfolio of 2-3 completed projects. Consider starting with a contractor role through a firm like Kelly Services or Manpower that services local businesses.

2. How important is it to have experience in oil & gas or healthcare?
For your first job here, it's a "nice-to-have." For your second job and career advancement, it becomes a "must-have." Your first local job is your ticket to learning the specifics of these industries. Focus on transferable skills like data management, security, and reliable system design.

3. Can I work remotely for a company outside Williston?
Yes, but it's a mixed bag. Internet reliability is good in town (fiber is available from North Dakota Telephone Company), but it's not as ubiquitous as in major cities. Some local employers are wary of fully remote roles, but many are open to hybrid. The bigger challenge is the time zone difference for East/West Coast companies.

4. What's the social scene like for young professionals?
It's not non-existent, but you have to seek it out. The Williston Area Rec Center is a social hub. There are a few local breweries and coffee shops where professionals gather. The Williston Downtown Business Association hosts events. The NDSU Extension and Williston State College offer community classes. Joining a local sports league (hockey, soccer) is a top way to meet people.

5. What's the one thing I should do before moving?
Visit in January or February. If you can handle a week of -20°F temperatures and snow, you can handle Williston. It will give you a true sense of the climate, which is the single biggest lifestyle adjustment you'll make. Also, start connecting with the North Dakota Technology Association on LinkedIn before you arrive.