Civil Engineer Salary in Dickinson, ND: $93,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Dickinson, ND earns a median $93,099/year (≈ $44.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Dickinson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $101,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With the ongoing impact of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), civil engineer positions in Dickinson, North Dakota, have seen a boost in both demand and compensation. The projected median annual salary for a civil engineer in 2026 stands at $93,099, reflecting the increased investment in infrastructure throughout the region. Salaries range significantly, from $62,597 at the lower end (P10) to $144,303 at the higher end (P90), highlighting the variability based on experience, specialization, and the employing organization. These figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, showcasing how employment opportunities in Dickinson are optimizing for both growth and expertise as infrastructure projects expand.
About the Dickinson Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,597 | $30.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,553 | $34.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,099 | $44.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,243 | $55.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $144,303 | $69.38 |
Median Salary Position
10.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dickinson
In Dickinson, ND, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $81,706 (2026 est.). At $93,099, the local median is 10.04% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dickinson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dickinson Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Dickinson median: $93,099/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dickinson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $95,193 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -10.04% less |
Civil Engineers in Dickinson, ND earn a median of $93,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.04% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 2.20% below the North Dakota state average of $95,193.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dickinson has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dickinson, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $93,099 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$78,317
2025 BLS Actual
$90,713
2026 Current Est.
$93,099
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Dickinson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $78,317 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $79,207 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,908 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,163 | Actual |
| 2025 | $90,713 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,547 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dickinson metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $78,317 (2019) to $90,713 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,547 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,230 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dickinson 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) | $62,597 – $72,553 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,553 – $93,099 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,099 – $115,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,243 – $144,303 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Dickinson
In Dickinson, the job market for civil engineers features only four individuals currently employed in the field, indicative of a niche sector shaped by both demand and local economic conditions. The cost of living index at 92 suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, take-home pay retains substantial purchasing power in this market. Among local employers, leading engineering consulting firms such as AECOM and Jacobs typically offer the highest compensation levels, outpacing government positions and smaller firms. The pay disparity within the workforce stems from various factors, including the necessity for Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, specialization in high-demand fields like transportation or structural engineering, and job roles that prioritize project management over technical contributions. For civil engineers in Dickinson, positioning oneself within top-tier firms and acquiring a PE license can significantly enhance earning potential, especially as infrastructure projects continue to flourish in the coming years.
More salary data for Dickinson, 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 $90,713 for civil engineersin the Dickinson 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
Salary data for Dickinson 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