Hospitality & Tourism Grand Forks, ND Pop. 56,588

Sommelier Salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota

The median sommelier salary in Grand Forks, ND is $54,560 per year, which is 12% below the national median and 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.

City Median
$54,560
vs State Avg
$-1,240
vs National
$-7,440
Cost of Living
88%

Sommelier Pay in Grand Forks: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Forks offers a median sommelier salary of $54,560, which is $1,240 below the North Dakota state average of $55,800. Compared to the national median of $62,000, Grand Forks pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Forks's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $54,560 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $62,000 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Forks an attractive option for sommeliers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for sommeliers in Grand Forks spans from $28,160 at the 10th percentile to $110,000 at the 90th percentile — a $81,840 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $30,800, while senior sommeliers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $103,840. Grand Forks is a smaller market (pop. 56,588), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Sommelier Salary in Grand Forks by Experience

In Grand Forks, an entry-level sommelier earns around $30,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $103,840 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$30,800
$-4,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$57,200
$-7,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$103,840
$-14,160 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Grand Forks, ND

Percentile Grand Forks
10th Percentile $28,160
25th Percentile $38,720
Median (50th) $54,560
75th Percentile $80,960
90th Percentile $110,000

Sommelier Salary in Other North Dakota Cities

Fargo, ND
$58,280
Pop. 125,990
West Fargo, ND
$57,660
Pop. 38,626
Minot, ND
$57,040
Pop. 48,639
Bismarck, ND
$55,800
Pop. 73,529

How to Become a Sommelier in Grand Forks

Education

Most sommelier positions require a postsecondary nondegree award. Grand Forks and the surrounding North Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Wine KnowledgeTastingFood PairingInventory ManagementCustomer ServiceSommelier Certification

Job Outlook

Nationally, sommelier employment is projected to grow 12% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Grand Forks may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Sommelier Jobs in Grand Forks

Browse open sommelier positions in Grand Forks, ND:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Sommelier Salary in Grand Forks

How much does a Sommelier make in Grand Forks, ND? ▼
The median sommelier salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota is $54,560 per year, which is 12% below the national median of $62,000. Salaries range from $28,160 (10th percentile) to $110,000 (90th percentile).
How much does a Sommelier make per hour in Grand Forks? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $54,560, a sommelier in Grand Forks earns approximately $26 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Grand Forks compare to the North Dakota state average for sommelier pay? ▼
Grand Forks's median sommelier salary of $54,560 is 2.2% below the North Dakota state average of $55,800. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Grand Forks, ND? ▼
Grand Forks has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a sommelier salary of $54,560 in Grand Forks has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a sommelier in Grand Forks? ▼
Most sommelier positions in Grand Forks require a postsecondary nondegree award. Key skills include Wine Knowledge, Tasting, Food Pairing, Inventory Management. The job market is projected to grow 12% nationally over the next decade.