North Dakota Median
$86,330
per year
Hourly Rate
$41.50
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $104,110
State Rank
#49 of 51
790 employed here
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in North Dakota?
Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota take home a median of $86,330 annually — roughly $41.50 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $104,110.
Within North Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $63,930 while the top 10% make $136,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $77,990 and $114,830 a year.
Mechanical Engineer salary range in North Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,930 | $30.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $77,990 | $37.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $86,330 | $41.50 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $114,830 | $55.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,060 | $65.41 |
|
How North Dakota compares
North Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Mechanical Engineer pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Mechanical Engineer salary in other states
New Mexico $157,710District of Columbia $133,300California $130,900Delaware $125,130Colorado $124,430Alaska $124,340Maryland $122,870Louisiana $119,540Massachusetts $119,300Wyoming $117,750Rhode Island $116,230Texas $112,410New Jersey $112,300Washington $110,430Vermont $107,330Connecticut $105,090Michigan $104,890South Carolina $104,580Virginia $104,180New Hampshire $103,660Oregon $103,470Illinois $102,680Nevada $102,680Utah $102,500New York $102,440Maine $102,430Oklahoma $101,850Kentucky $101,050North Carolina $100,720Georgia $100,620Arizona $100,270Alabama $100,230Florida $99,980Indiana $99,590Tennessee $99,550Missouri $99,330Minnesota $99,140Ohio $99,100Hawaii $98,740Mississippi $98,000Pennsylvania $97,920Iowa $97,700West Virginia $97,390Wisconsin $95,870Montana $94,190Idaho $93,190South Dakota $88,380Nebraska $88,060Kansas $86,260Arkansas $80,180
Working as a Mechanical Engineer in North Dakota
Nationally, about 297,000 people work as Mechanical Engineers in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare North Dakota pay ($86,330) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in North Dakota?
The median Mechanical Engineer salary in North Dakota is $86,330 per year, or about $41.50 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,930 at the entry level to $136,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Dakota pay compare to the national average?
North Dakota pays Mechanical Engineers about 17% less than the national median of $104,110. North Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Dakota a good state for Mechanical Engineers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $86,330 a year. About 790 Mechanical Engineers are employed in North Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in North Dakota include Surgeon, All Other ($604,890), Radiologist ($553,140), Physician, All Other ($454,550), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Mechanical Engineer salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.