Mechanical Engineer Salary in North Dakota: $90,772 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median mechanical engineer pay sits at $90,772/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2141. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $98,665 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($94,410), West Fargo ($94,130), Minot ($94,063).
In 2026, the average median salary for mechanical engineers in North Dakota is projected to be $90,771, which is 15.3% lower than the national median of $107,150. The highest paying city is Bismarck, where salaries are anticipated to reach $97,167, while Fargo offers the lowest at $88,851, resulting in a salary gap of $8,316 between these two cities. Factors driving this difference include the concentration of industries and specific demand for engineering services in each location, as well as the cost of living variations. North Dakota's mechanical engineers must be aware of state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can affect job responsibilities and opportunities. The job market appears steady, with a projected growth rate of 2.92% annually, driven by ongoing infrastructure development and energy sector needs. Other top-paying cities include West Fargo at $96,879, Minot at $96,810, Dickinson at $96,390, and Grand Forks at $94,100. With a total of 430 employed mechanical engineers in the state, professionals can expect a stable environment characterized by consistent demand for their skills in various sectors.
North Dakota Mechanical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $65,786 (lowest entry-level) to $150,162 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota mechanical engineers earn 15.29% less than the national median ($-16,378/year difference).
North Dakota Mechanical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Mechanical Engineer salaries in North Dakota range from $66,660 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $138,958 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $90,772. The North Dakota median is $16,378 below the US national median of $107,150. The average hourly rate is $43.64/hr. Approximately 430 mechanical engineers are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$75,778
2025 BLS Actual
$88,196
2026 Current Est.
$90,772
2019–2027 Growth
+23.3%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $75,778 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,382 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,439 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,455 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,196 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,772 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,422 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 16.4% from $75,778 (2019) to $88,196 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,422 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,644 (23.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fargo | $88,851 |
| Mandan | $92,133 |
| Williston | $94,064 |
| Grand Forks | $94,100 |
| Dickinson | $96,390 |
Best Value Cities for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for mechanical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $94,100 | 86.663 | $108,582 |
| Bismarck | $97,167 | 92 | $105,616 |
| West Fargo | $96,879 | 92 | $105,303 |
| Minot | $96,810 | 92 | $105,228 |
| Dickinson | $96,390 | 92 | $104,772 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $66,660 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $90,772 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $138,958 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $97,167 |
| 2 | West Fargo | $96,879 |
| 3 | Minot | $96,810 |
| 4 | Dickinson | $96,390 |
| 5 | Grand Forks | $94,100 |
| 6 | Williston | $94,064 |
| 7 | Mandan | $92,133 |
| 8 | Fargo | $88,851 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore mechanical engineer hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced mechanical engineers.
Explore More Mechanical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in North Dakota in 2026?
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How does North Dakota mechanical engineer pay compare to the national average?
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Which North Dakota city offers the best value for mechanical engineers?
Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 mechanical engineer compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more mechanical engineerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov