Civil Engineer Salary in Bismarck, ND: $100,855 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Bismarck, ND earns a median $100,855/year (≈ $48.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Bismarck's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $110,800 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Bismarck, North Dakota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $100,855, which is slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range across the profession reflects a notable spread, with entry-level positions beginning at $66,638 and more experienced roles reaching up to $142,091. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicate a diverse market shaped by distinct sectors. The local employment landscape encompasses opportunities in engineering consulting firms, government agencies, and construction companies, each offering varying compensation packages depending on the complexity of projects and the required expertise.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $66,638 | $32.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,570 | $39.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $100,855 | $48.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $118,240 | $56.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $142,091 | $68.31 |
Median Salary Position
2.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bismarck
In Bismarck, ND, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,453 (2026 est.). At $100,855, the local median is 2.55% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bismarck: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bismarck Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Bismarck median: $100,855/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bismarck Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $95,236 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -2.55% less |
Civil Engineers in Bismarck, ND earn a median of $100,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.55% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 5.90% above the North Dakota state average of $95,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bismarck has a cost of living 8.98% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bismarck, ND has a cost-of-living index of 91.024 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $100,855 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $110,800 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$84,080
2025 BLS Actual
$98,270
2026 Current Est.
$100,855
2019–2027 Growth
+23.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Bismarck (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $84,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $85,720 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,855 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,507 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bismarck metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 16.9% from $84,080 (2019) to $98,270 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $103,507 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,427 (23.11%) from 2019.
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 2.63% 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) | $66,638 – $81,570 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,570 – $100,855 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $100,855 – $118,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $118,240 – $142,091 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Bismarck
Bismarck's job market currently employs around 380 civil engineers, a testament to the city’s ongoing infrastructure initiatives influenced by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With a cost-of-living index of 91.024, engineers in Bismarck enjoy a favorable purchasing power compared to national averages, although the compensation does reflect regional economic dynamics. Employers such as AECOM and Jacobs typically offer higher salaries reflective of their consulting roles, while state and local government positions may provide stability but often at lower pay scales. Factors contributing to wage variation include the pursuit of a PE license for advancement, the demand for specialized skill sets in areas like geotechnical or transportation engineering, and the overall market push towards infrastructure improvements. Engineers looking to maximize their earning potential in this market should consider obtaining higher credentials, specializing in in-demand engineering fields, or targeting higher-tier firms that are more likely to fund significant projects and provide competitive salaries.
More salary data for Bismarck, 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
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 $98,270 for civil engineersin the Bismarck metropolitan area. A 2.63% 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 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