Civil Engineer salary in North Dakota
Civil Engineers in North Dakota earn a median of $98,190 a year ($47.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,740 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $100,840. North Dakota ranks 30th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 3.2 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $98,780, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in North Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,290 | $30.43 |
| 25th percentile | $76,950 | $37.00 |
| Median | $98,190 | $47.21 |
| 75th percentile | $117,060 | $56.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $143,740 | $69.11 |
| Average (mean) | $98,780 | $47.49 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,182.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,091.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,776.54 |
| Weekly | $1,888.27 |
| Hourly | $47.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in North Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $100,520 | 170 |
| Minot, ND | $99,460 | 70 |
| Bismarck, ND | $98,270 | 380 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $95,530 | 510 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
Related jobs in North Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $86,330 | $41.51 |
| Industrial Engineer | $96,940 | $46.61 |
| Electrical Engineer | $110,810 | $53.28 |
| Engineers, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Petroleum Engineer | $132,120 | $63.52 |
| Environmental Engineer | $91,370 | $43.93 |
| Chemical Engineer | $115,400 | $55.48 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $104,860 | $50.41 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $65,030 | $31.27 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $64,720 | $31.12 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $97,110 | $46.69 |
| Surveyor | $79,360 | $38.15 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $60,870 | $29.26 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $80,930 | $38.91 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in North Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in North Dakota?
The median salary for civil engineers in North Dakota is $98,190 a year, or $47.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $143,740 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in North Dakota?
The top 10% of civil engineers in North Dakota earn at least $143,740 a year. The top 25% earn $117,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in North Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,290 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $76,950 or less.
How many civil engineers work in North Dakota?
About 1,380 civil engineers are employed in North Dakota, not counting the self-employed.