Electrical Engineer Salary in North Dakota: $114,227 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median electrical engineer pay sits at $114,227/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 17-2071. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $124,160 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Grand Forks ($112,260), Bismarck ($110,810), Fargo ($109,790).
In 2026, electrical engineers in North Dakota are projected to earn an average median salary of $114,226, which is 8.6% lower than the national median of $125,033. The highest salaries are found in Grand Forks at $116,357, while Mandan has the lowest at $107,510, creating a salary gap of $8,847. This difference can be attributed to factors like the cost of living, local demand for electrical engineering talent, and the concentration of industries in different regions. Job opportunities for electrical engineers in North Dakota stem from state-specific factors such as emerging energy sectors, technology development, and infrastructure projects. Engineers in the state are subject to licensing requirements, including passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and obtaining applicable certifications unless otherwise exempted based on experience. The total employment figure for electrical engineers is projected at 229, and the job market is estimated to grow at a rate of 3.65% annually as per the latest data. The top cities for salaries are projected to be Grand Forks, Bismarck ($114,855), Fargo ($113,797), West Fargo ($113,048), and Minot ($112,968). The outlook for engineering roles remains promising, driven by technological advancements and infrastructure needs in both urban and rural areas.
North Dakota Electrical Engineer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $70,741 (lowest entry-level) to $173,000 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota electrical engineers earn 8.64% less than the national median ($-10,806/year difference).
North Dakota Electrical Engineer Salary Distribution (2026)
Electrical Engineer salaries in North Dakota range from $78,102 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $155,455 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $114,227. The North Dakota median is $10,806 below the US national median of $125,033. The average hourly rate is $54.92/hr. Approximately 229 electrical engineers are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$93,751
2025 BLS Actual
$110,204
2026 Current Est.
$114,227
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,751 | Actual |
| 2020 | $102,423 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,218 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,914 | Actual |
| 2023 | $103,633 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,543 | Actual |
| 2025 | $110,204 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $114,227 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $118,396 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 17.5% from $93,751 (2019) to $110,204 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $118,396 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,645 (26.29%) 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 3.65% 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 |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $107,510 |
| Williston | $109,763 |
| Dickinson | $112,477 |
| Minot | $112,968 |
| West Fargo | $113,048 |
Best Value Cities for Electrical Engineers in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for electrical engineers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $116,357 | 86.663 | $134,264 |
| Bismarck | $114,855 | 91.024 | $126,181 |
| Fargo | $113,797 | 90.871 | $125,229 |
| West Fargo | $113,048 | 92 | $122,878 |
| Minot | $112,968 | 92 | $122,791 |
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) | $78,102 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $114,227 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $155,455 |
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 | Grand Forks | $116,357 |
| 2 | Bismarck | $114,855 |
| 3 | Fargo | $113,797 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $113,048 |
| 5 | Minot | $112,968 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $112,477 |
| 7 | Williston | $109,763 |
| 8 | Mandan | $107,510 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore electrical engineer hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced electrical engineers.
Explore More Electrical Engineer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do electrical engineers make in North Dakota in 2026?
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How does North Dakota electrical engineer pay compare to the national average?
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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
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 3.65% 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 electrical engineer compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more electrical 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 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