Civil Engineer Salary in Williston, ND: $90,853 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Williston, ND earns a median $90,853/year (≈ $43.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Williston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $98,753 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.6% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, civil engineers in Williston, North Dakota can expect to earn a median annual salary of $90,853, reflecting a local market that is slightly below the national median of $103,492. The salary range for these professionals spans from $65,031 for entry-level positions up to $140,823 for those with significant experience or specialization, indicating a diverse range of opportunities available in the city. Compensation can vary significantly depending on whether engineers are employed by consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs, government agencies such as the Department of Transportation, or construction companies. The local salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, which suggests that Williston's job market for civil engineers is shaped by ongoing infrastructure demands and firm competition.
About the Williston Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($88,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $65,031 | $31.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $73,646 | $35.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,853 | $43.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,290 | $55.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $140,823 | $67.71 |
Median Salary Position
12.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Williston
In Williston, ND, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,792 (2026 est.). At $90,853, the local median is 12.21% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Williston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Williston Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Williston median: $90,853/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Williston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $95,234 | -4.60% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -12.21% less |
Civil Engineers in Williston, ND earn a median of $90,853 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.21% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.60% below the North Dakota state average of $95,234.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Williston 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.
Williston, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $90,853 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,753 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,428
2025 BLS Actual
$88,525
2026 Current Est.
$90,853
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Williston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,428 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,753 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,297 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,956 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,253 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,853 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,243 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Williston metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $76,428 (2019) to $88,525 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,243 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,815 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Williston 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) | $65,031 – $73,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $73,646 – $90,853 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,853 – $115,290 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,290 – $140,823 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Williston
Looking deeper into the local job market, there are currently seven civil engineers employed in Williston, highlighting the relatively small professional community in this region. The cost of living index in Williston stands at 92, indicating a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, which benefits take-home purchasing power. Among employers, engineering consulting firms often offer the highest pay; however, professionals should keep in mind that opportunities vary considerably based on specialization, level of education, and whether one holds a PE license. While the infrastructure spending boom, fueled by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, strengthens demand in the region, engineers are advised to pursue project management roles or high-demand specialties such as structural and geotechnical engineering to enhance earning potential. Prioritizing work with top-tier firms typically yields the best salary outcomes and career growth.
More salary data for Williston, 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 $88,525 for civil engineersin the Williston 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 Williston 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