Mechanical Engineer Salary in Bismarck, ND: $97,167 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Bismarck, ND earns a median $97,167/year (≈ $46.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $105,616 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a mechanical engineer salary in Bismarck, ND is projected to be around $97,167, reflecting a competitive position within the industry but beneath the national average of $107,150. This salary spans a range from $72,519 at the 10th percentile to $148,646 at the 90th percentile, indicating various opportunities based on experience and specialization. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments. Bismarck’s mechanical engineers may find that industries such as aerospace, particularly firms like SpaceX, offer higher pay scales compared to traditional automotive sectors, while HVAC and building systems roles remain stable and in demand.
About the Bismarck Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,519 | $34.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $80,464 | $38.69 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $97,167 | $46.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $121,560 | $58.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $148,646 | $71.47 |
Median Salary Position
9.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,127 (2026 est.). At $97,167, the local median is 9.32% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $97,167/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $98,546 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -9.32% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $97,167 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.32% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 1.40% below the North Dakota state average of $98,546.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $97,167 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $105,616 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$95,660
2025 BLS Actual
$94,410
2026 Current Est.
$97,167
2019–2027 Growth
+4.5%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $95,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $92,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $97,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,660 | Actual |
| 2023 | $81,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $83,428 | Actual |
| 2025 | $94,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $97,167 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,004 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew -1.3% from $95,660 (2019) to $94,410 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,004 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,344 (4.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bismarck 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $72,519 – $80,464 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $80,464 – $97,167 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $97,167 – $121,560 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $121,560 – $148,646 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Bismarck
Currently, Bismarck employs a small number of mechanical engineers, with just 11 professionals in this field, highlighting a potentially close-knit job market. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 92, suggesting that salaries stretch further in terms of purchasing power relative to the national average. In Bismarck, companies in aerospace and defense, such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, tend to offer the more lucrative positions compared to automotive giants. Variability in pay often relates to industry focus, with aerospace and military roles regularly commanding higher salaries due to factors like required security clearances or specialized licenses. To maximize their earnings, mechanical engineers should consider seeking roles in industries that prioritize innovation and can offer equity or performance-based compensation, while also evaluating opportunities for professional licensure, which can boost marketability and pay in the HVAC fields.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Bismarck, ND in 2026?
Is Bismarck, ND a good place to work as a mechanical engineer?
Can mechanical engineers make $100K in Bismarck?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted mechanical engineer salary in Bismarck?
How much does a mechanical engineer make per hour in Bismarck?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $94,410 for mechanical engineersin the Bismarck metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bismarck is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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