Entry-Level Civil Engineer Salary in Minot, ND: $62,656 (2026)
Quick Answer:New civil engineers entering the Minot, ND job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,656 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2051, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Minot's local price level (BEA RPP 87.0 — 13% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $71,995 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,076) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the civil engineering workforce in Minot, North Dakota, the starting civil engineer salary can begin at around $62,656, which sets the foundation for early career development. While this entry-level figure is significantly lower than the overall city median salary of $102,076, it is vital for new professionals to recognize the growth potential in this field. Over the first three to five years, the salary could advance from the $76,860 mark (P25) towards the median as experience and competencies are gained. Given the current demand driven by infrastructure projects, particularly in connection with recent legislation like the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Minot presents a promising market for new graduates entering the industry.
Career Earnings Timeline in Minot
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 Minot
Entry-level civil engineers in Minot, ND typically start between $62,656 and $76,860 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $98,032 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,076 — 1.37% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average civil engineering program cost in North Dakota of $48,000 represents just 76.61% of the starting civil engineer pay ($62,656/year) in Minot. 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 Minot
- 1Research the Minot market: entry-level civil engineer pay ranges from $62,656 to $76,860, 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 Minot, 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 Minot for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Minot'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 Minot is $98,032 ( 156.46%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,656, experienced hygienists can earn up to $160,688.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,545
2025 BLS Actual
$61,050
2026 Current Est.
$62,656
2019–2027 Growth
+29.8%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Minot (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,545 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,243 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,170 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,559 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,656 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,303 | Projected |
Entry-level civil engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Minot, ND grew 23.2% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,545 in 2019 to $61,050 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $64,303. New graduates entering the Minot job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minot 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 Minot
In terms of employment opportunities, Minot is home to various employers that actively seek newly minted civil engineers. Major consulting firms such as AECOM, Jacobs, and WSP often have structured training programs that are invaluable for career progression, offering pathways for licensure and practical experience. Additionally, state and federal agencies, like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, provide secure career tracks, including pensions, while construction firms like Bechtel focus on field engineering roles. For new grads in ND, obtaining a Bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program and passing the FE exam for EIT designation significantly enhances starting pay. It is also advisable to pursue the PE license after gaining the necessary supervised experience, as this credential opens doors to senior positions and better salary prospects. Prospective civil engineers should realistically expect incremental salary growth correlating with hands-on experience and continuing education within their first few years in Minot.
More salary data for Minot, 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 Minot. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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 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