Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Bismarck, ND: $82,879 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Bismarck, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $82,879 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Bismarck's local price level (BEA RPP 91.0 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $91,052 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($114,855) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Bismarck presents a promising opportunity for new graduates entering the electrical engineering field, with an entry-level electrical engineer salary projected at $82,879 for 2026. This figure is below the city's median annual salary of $114,855, highlighting a notable pay gap for recent grads. However, within the first few years, engineers can expect their earnings to rise, as the 25th percentile salary of $93,990 indicates potential growth. With a robust growth rate of 3.65% annually, Bismarck is a viable market for recent graduates looking to launch their careers, particularly given its relatively low cost of living index of 91.024 compared to the national average.
Career Earnings Timeline in Bismarck
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
Entry-level electrical engineers in Bismarck, ND typically start between $82,879 and $93,990 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $82,992 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $114,855 — 8.14% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in North Dakota of $48,000 represents just 57.92% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($82,879/year) in Bismarck. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Bismarck
- 1Research the Bismarck market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $82,879 to $93,990, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Bismarck, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Bismarck for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Bismarck's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Bismarck is $82,992 ( 100.14%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $82,879, experienced hygienists can earn up to $165,871.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$71,080
2025 BLS Actual
$79,960
2026 Current Est.
$82,879
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,220 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,960 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,879 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,904 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Bismarck, ND grew 12.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $71,080 in 2019 to $79,960 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $85,904. New graduates entering the Bismarck job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
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 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Bismarck
Employers in Bismarck actively recruit entry-level electrical engineers, especially in fields like utilities and defense contracting, which are known for their structured onboarding pathways. Utility companies often look for newly minted EITs from ABET-accredited programs, while defense contractors like Lockheed and Northrop tap into candidates with the necessary security clearances. To increase starting electrical engineer pay in ND, obtaining credentials such as passing the FE exam during undergraduate studies can be a strategic move. Candidates pursuing careers in semiconductor industries with companies like Apple and Nvidia typically command higher salaries, whereas those in utilities find stable positions with pension benefits. In years one to three, recent graduates in Bismarck can expect to see their salaries increase progressively within their respective fields, facilitating a solid foundation for long-term career growth.
More salary data for Bismarck, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Bismarck. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov