Civil Engineer Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $103,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $103,164/year (≈ $49.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.7), that paycheck buys what $119,040 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the projected median annual salary for civil engineers in 2026 is set at $103,164, slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range reflects a significant disparity in earnings, with entry-level positions starting around $55,749 and experienced engineers earning as much as $139,885. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates the different pay scales between sectors. Civil engineers in Grand Forks are employed across diverse fields—engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs typically offer higher salaries, while roles in government and local public works departments often come with more stability but lower compensation. Thus, knowing the sector dynamics can influence salary expectations dramatically.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,749 | $26.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,213 | $36.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $103,164 | $49.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $123,094 | $59.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $139,885 | $67.25 |
Median Salary Position
0.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $84,136 (2026 est.). At $103,164, the local median is 0.32% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be above the median
How Grand Forks Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $103,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $95,169 | +8.40% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -0.32% less |
Civil Engineers in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $103,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.32% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 8.40% above the North Dakota state average of $95,169.
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 civil engineer earning $103,164 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $119,040 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.39% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$82,290
2025 BLS Actual
$100,520
2026 Current Est.
$103,164
2019–2027 Growth
+28.7%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $82,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,240 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $100,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $103,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $105,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 22.2% from $82,290 (2019) to $100,520 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $105,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,587 (28.66%) 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 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) | $55,749 – $76,213 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,213 – $103,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $103,164 – $123,094 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $123,094 – $139,885 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Grand Forks
The regional job market employs approximately 170 civil engineers, which reflects a solid base for professionals seeking opportunities in Grand Forks, ND. The area's cost of living index stands at 86.663, indicating more favorable living conditions compared to the national average. This lower cost of living can translate into increased purchasing power for local engineers. Within the employment landscape, top earners typically hail from prestigious consulting firms, while specialties such as structural and geotechnical engineering command premium salaries. Factors contributing to the pay spectrum include the progression towards obtaining a PE license, firm size, and the current boom in infrastructure spending driven by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. To maximize earning potential, engineers may consider advancing their qualifications, engaging in networking to connect with major employers, and choosing projects that align with high-demand specialties within the market.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do civil engineers make in Grand Forks, ND in 2026?
Is Grand Forks, ND a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Can civil engineers make $100K in Grand Forks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted civil engineer salary in Grand Forks?
How much does a civil engineer make per hour in Grand Forks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 $100,520 for civil engineersin the Grand Forks 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