Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Mandan, ND: $67,329 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Mandan, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $67,329 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Mandan's local price level (BEA RPP 92.0 — 8% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $73,184 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($88,988) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
New civil engineering graduates entering the workforce in Mandan, North Dakota can expect a starting civil engineer salary Mandan around $67,329 annually in 2026. This figure is notably lower than the city's median annual salary of $88,988, highlighting a significant gap for early-career professionals. However, as new engineers gain experience and develop their skills, the earning potential can increase rapidly. The salary trajectory from initial positions might advance from the lower 10th percentile up to the 25th percentile, reaching approximately $72,431 within just a few years. Given the projected growth rate of 2.63% annually, Mandan remains a viable location for new graduates, especially for individuals willing to engage in the local engineering market and its emerging opportunities.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Mandan
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 Mandan
Entry-level civil engineers in Mandan, ND typically start between $67,329 and $72,431 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $69,130 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $88,988 — 14.01% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in North Dakota of $48,000 represents just 71.29% of the starting civil engineer pay ($67,329/year) in Mandan. 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 civil engineering programs at public and private universities. Licensure (FE after graduation, PE after 4 years experience) adds exam fees. Many engineers pursue master's degrees (MS or MEng).
CE, PE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Mandan
- 1Research the Mandan market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $67,329 to $72,431, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the civil engineering field — employers in ND often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Mandan, 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 Mandan for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Mandan's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Civil Engineer Compensation Range
The civil engineer wage spread in Mandan is $69,130 ( 102.67%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $67,329, experienced hygienists can earn up to $136,459.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,241
2025 BLS Actual
$65,604
2026 Current Est.
$67,329
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,241 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,991 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,211 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,682 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,778 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,059 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,604 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,329 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,100 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Mandan, ND grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $53,241 in 2019 to $65,604 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $69,100. New graduates entering the Mandan job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan 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 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your civil engineering Career in Mandan
In Mandan, several employers actively seek fresh talent in civil engineering, with major opportunities found within large consulting firms like AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP. These companies typically have structured training programs that support new graduates through the EIT process and beyond, preparing them for the PE license, which is essential for advancing into senior roles. State and federal agencies, such as the Department of Transportation and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, also offer promising career tracks that often include benefits like pension plans. For those inclined towards construction, firms like Bechtel and Fluor provide entry-level positions with a focus on field engineering and practical experience. To boost their initial salaries, new grads should prioritize getting their Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and consider taking the FE exam before graduation. With current infrastructure spending highlighted by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, graduates can realistically expect moderate salary increases during their first few years, supported by the ongoing demand for civil engineering expertise in the region.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
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 civil engineering graduates. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Mandan. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan 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 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov