Electrical Engineer Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $116,357 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time electrical engineer in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $116,357/year (≈ $55.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2071). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $134,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, electrical engineers can anticipate a median annual salary of $116,357 in 2026, reflecting a regional trend that diverges slightly from the national average of $125,033. Salary ranges for this profession in the area are projected between $80,173 at the 10th percentile to $146,416 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This compensation landscape reveals the higher earning potential associated with semiconductor and chip design roles, often commanding a premium due to demand for specialized skills. In contrast, positions focused on utility power systems or non-cleared defense work tend to fall on the lower end of the salary spectrum, highlighting the importance of industry choice in shaping one’s electrical engineer pay in Grand Forks, ND.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,173 | $38.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $86,423 | $41.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $116,357 | $55.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $133,574 | $64.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $146,416 | $70.39 |
Median Salary Position
6.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the electrical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,243 (2026 est.). At $116,357, the local median is 6.94% below the national median of $125,033.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be above the median
How Grand Forks Electrical Engineer Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $116,357/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $114,978 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $125,033 | -6.94% less |
Electrical Engineers in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $116,357 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.94% lower than the national median of $125,033 and 1.20% above the North Dakota state average of $114,978.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 13.34% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 86.663 (below the national average of 100). A electrical engineer earning $116,357 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,330
2025 BLS Actual
$112,260
2026 Current Est.
$116,357
2019–2027 Growth
+56.0%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $105,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $108,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $116,357 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $120,605 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median electrical engineer salary grew 45.2% from $77,330 (2019) to $112,260 (2025). At a 3.65% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $120,605 by 2027 — a total increase of $43,275 (55.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $80,173 – $86,423 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $86,423 – $116,357 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $116,357 – $133,574 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $133,574 – $146,416 |
EE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual electrical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Electrical Engineer Job Market in Grand Forks
With 40 electrical engineers currently employed in the region, Grand Forks offers a stable job market relative to its smaller size. The cost of living index stands at 86.663, which indicates that the purchasing power of salaries is enhanced in this relatively affordable area. Employers like Apple and Intel lead in compensation among tech firms, where engineers engaged in chip and hardware design can expect higher pay than those in more traditional utility sectors, which lag in cash compensation but provide other benefits like job security and pensions. To maximize earning potential, engineers should consider pursuing advanced degrees or obtaining specialized licenses such as a PE for power systems, while also being mindful of the growing influence of remote work opportunities and competitive equity packages offered by larger tech companies. Understanding the nuances of compensation across different sectors can significantly impact how much do electrical engineers make in Grand Forks and guide career progression decisions, particularly between technical and management tracks.
More salary data for Grand Forks, 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
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 $112,260 for electrical engineersin the Grand Forks metropolitan area. A 3.65% 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
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