Daycare startup costs in North Dakota.

Plan a child care center’s monthly numbers in North Dakota. Typical prices, pay and ratios are filled in, and you can change any of them.

Sources: National Database of Childcare Prices, U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau; Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Spots by age group

How many children your license will allow in each group.

1 adult per 4 children: the strictest North Dakota ratio here (birth to 18 months).

1 adult per 5 children: the strictest North Dakota ratio here (18 to 36 months).

1 adult per 7 children: the strictest North Dakota ratio here (3-year-olds).

1 adult per 12 children: the strictest North Dakota ratio here (5-year-olds).

Weekly tuition by age group

The North Dakota median center price, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.

The North Dakota median center price, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.

The North Dakota median center price, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.

The North Dakota median center price, 2022. Source: U.S. Department of Labor.

100 means every spot is filled and paid every week.

Staff pay and hours

North Dakota median for preschool teachers, May 2025. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

North Dakota median for childcare workers, May 2025. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

North Dakota median for preschool and daycare directors, May 2025. Type 0 if you direct.

We start with one per age group with spots. The other adults are assistants.

Your own number. 50 is 10 hours a day, 5 days a week.

Rent

Your own number, with any building costs you pay each month.

Setup costs

Your own one-time costs before you open.

Your estimate

Add spots by age group to see your estimate.

Estimates from your own numbers. This is not financial or legal advice.

What we filled in for North Dakota

Each figure with its source and year. Change any of them in the calculator.

WhatFigureSource and year
Weekly tuition, infants$214 a weekU.S. Department of Labor, state median center price, 2022
Weekly tuition, toddlers$195 a weekU.S. Department of Labor, state median center price, 2022
Weekly tuition, preschoolers$181 a weekU.S. Department of Labor, state median center price, 2022
Weekly tuition, school-age children$180 a weekU.S. Department of Labor, state median center price, 2022
Lead teacher pay$19.10 a hourBureau of Labor Statistics, Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education (25-2011), median, May 2025
Assistant pay$14.56 a hourBureau of Labor Statistics, Childcare Workers (39-9011), median, May 2025
Director pay$51,390 a yearBureau of Labor Statistics, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare (11-9031), median, May 2025
Ratio, infants1 adult per 4 childrenNorth Dakota licensing rule for birth to 18 months, last changed June 18, 2026
Ratio, toddlers1 adult per 5 childrenNorth Dakota licensing rule for 18 to 36 months, last changed June 18, 2026
Ratio, preschoolers1 adult per 7 childrenNorth Dakota licensing rule for 3-year-olds, last changed June 18, 2026
Ratio, school-age children1 adult per 12 childrenNorth Dakota licensing rule for 5-year-olds, last changed June 18, 2026

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Questions, answered

How much does it cost to open a daycare in North Dakota?

It depends on your building, size and plan. Type your own setup costs to see the months to cover them.

How much do daycare workers make in North Dakota?

Childcare workers earned a median of $14.56 an hour in May 2025. Preschool teachers earned $19.10.

How much do child care centers charge in North Dakota?

The state median was $214 a week for an infant in 2022. For a preschooler it was $181.

How many staff does a daycare need in North Dakota?

For infants, the strictest ratio is 1 adult per 4 children. For preschoolers it is 1 per 7.

Is owning a daycare profitable?

It depends on enrollment, tuition, pay and rent. The calculator shows what is left each month from your own numbers.

Where the numbers come from

Tuition starts at the state’s median weekly center price, 2022, from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Pay starts at the state’s median pay, May 2025, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Lead teachers use preschool teacher pay, assistants use childcare worker pay, and directors use their own.

Ratios are the state licensing rules on our licensing pages, last changed June 18, 2026.

Each age group uses the strictest ratio the state sets for any age in it.

Spots, hours, rent and setup costs are your own numbers.

Staff pay is pay only. It leaves out payroll taxes, benefits and paid time off.

Every result is an estimate from your own numbers. It is not financial or legal advice.

Questions about childcare in North Dakota?

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