Civil Engineer Salary in Fargo, ND: $98,042 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Fargo, ND earns a median $98,042/year (≈ $47.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $107,891 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% above the North Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fargo, North Dakota, civil engineers are positioned to earn a median annual salary of $98,042 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $103,492. This local salary reflects a range from $62,502 at the lower end (P10) to $153,339 at the upper tier (P90), demonstrating the variance often seen in engineering pay based on experience and specialization. The salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate a solid market for civil engineers, driven by a combination of local infrastructure needs and professional licensure advancements. As many engineers transition from FE to PE licensure, the added credential typically correlates with increased earning potential, particularly in consulting firms, where senior positions command higher compensation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $62,502 | $30.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,527 | $37.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $98,042 | $47.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,132 | $52.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $153,339 | $73.72 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo
In Fargo, ND, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $90,837 (2026 est.). At $98,042, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fargo Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Fargo median: $98,042/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fargo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $95,187 | +3.00% more |
| National Average | $103,492 | -5.27% less |
Civil Engineers in Fargo, ND earn a median of $98,042 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 3.00% above the North Dakota state average of $95,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $98,042 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $107,891 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.05% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$73,920
2025 BLS Actual
$95,530
2026 Current Est.
$98,042
2019–2027 Growth
+36.1%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Fargo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $73,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,410 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,410 | Actual |
| 2025 | $95,530 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $98,042 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $100,621 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 29.2% from $73,920 (2019) to $95,530 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $100,621 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,701 (36.12%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo 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) | $62,502 – $77,527 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,527 – $98,042 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $98,042 – $110,132 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,132 – $153,339 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Fargo
Fargo’s job market for civil engineers is bolstered by approximately 510 professionals currently employed in the area, demonstrating robust demand amidst the backdrop of a cost of living index of 90.871, which is below the national average. This favorable index means that engineers can enjoy a relatively higher standard of living relative to their pay compared to other cities. Notably, prestigious engineering consulting firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest salaries, with top-tier companies often matching or exceeding associated industry pay standards, unlike government positions. Factors influencing the wide pay gap include whether an engineer holds a PE license, the specialization (such as structural or geotechnical engineering), and the tier of their firm, with consulting firms generally paying more than governmental roles. For those looking to maximize their civil engineer pay in Fargo, pursuing a PE license and aligning with high-growth sectors fueled by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding can be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Fargo, 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 $95,530 for civil engineersin the Fargo 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