Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median wage for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota was $84,020 in 2024, about 20% below the national median of $104,651. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
North Dakota's cost of living runs roughly 8% below the US average. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective median lands closer to $91,500 in national-baseline dollars. That closes about half the headline gap with the national figure.
The spread between entry-level and senior pay is wide. The 10th percentile sits at $53,190, the 90th at $132,410. Top earners in the state make about 2.5 times what bottom earners make. That range suggests meaningful differences in experience and specialization, which is typical for an engineering occupation where a recent graduate and a lead project engineer can hold the same job title. The mean wage of $92,000 runs above the median, which tells us a smaller group of senior engineers pulls the average up.
Employment is small by national standards: BLS counted 770 Mechanical Engineers working in North Dakota in 2024. The state's engineering demand ties closely to energy and agriculture industries, both of which drive a different mix of projects than coastal tech hubs.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 9% between 2024 and 2034, which it classifies as faster than average. That outlook applies nationally; state-level growth will depend on how North Dakota's energy sector performs over the same period.
Salary distribution
Where North Dakota mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,990 and $114,830, with a median of $86,330.
Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 13 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $88,667. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 2 | $79,000 |
| Level II — qualified | 11 | $94,500 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caresoft Global Technologies Inc | Mechanical Engineer | 3 | $83,500 |
| CNH Industrial America LLC | Structural Analyst | 3 | $102,835 |
| Tata Technologies, Inc. | Mechanical Engineer | 3 | $88,667 |
| Acro Service Corporation | Engineer Product II - Mechanical Systems | 1 | $97,760 |
| iCode Technologies LLC | Mechanical Engineer | 1 | $81,723 |
| Liberty Energy Services LLC | Field Engineer III | 1 | $95,500 |
| University of North Dakota | Research Engineer | 1 | $73,000 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Hydraulic Integration Engineer at CNH Industrial America LLC$103,500FargoWage Level IIDecided Feb 24, 2026I-200-26048-645726
- Mechanical Engineer at Caresoft Global Technologies Inc$81,604FargoWage Level IIDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-368580
- Mechanical Engineer at iCode Technologies LLC$81,723BismarckWage Level IIDecided Sep 15, 2025I-200-25251-294622
- Mechanical Engineer at Tata Technologies, Inc.$94,500BismarckWage Level IIDecided Aug 28, 2025I-200-25233-258066
- Mechanical Engineer at Tata Technologies, Inc.$85,000BismarckWage Level IDecided Jul 9, 2025I-200-25182-144458
- Mechanical Engineer at Caresoft Global Technologies Inc$83,500FargoWage Level IIDecided Jun 18, 2025I-200-25162-078887
- Structural Analyst at CNH Industrial America LLC$102,835FargoWage Level IIDecided Jun 16, 2025I-200-25160-070603
- Manufacturing Engineer at Caresoft Global Technologies Inc$83,644FargoWage Level IIDecided Jun 10, 2025I-200-25154-046001
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Mechanical Engineers pay by experience level in North Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 13 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Professional services leads with a median of $83,500.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional services | Caresoft Global Technologies Inc | 5 | $83,500 |
| Manufacturing | CNH Industrial America LLC | 3 | $102,835 |
| Technology and software | Tata Technologies, Inc. | 3 | $88,667 |
| Education | University of North Dakota | 1 | $73,000 |
| Energy and utilities | Liberty Energy Services LLC | 1 | $95,500 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in North Dakota over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mechanical
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 02
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 03
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- 04
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- 05
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- 06
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
- 07
Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
- 08
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota is $86,330.
- How does North Dakota compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The North Dakota median is -19.8% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $63,930 and the 90th-percentile at $136,060, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mechanical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mechanical Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.