Civil Engineer.
Fargo.
$85,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$67,000 to $109,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
A Civil Engineer in Fargo earns a median of $85,000 in 2026. That is 15% below the national average. The range runs from $67,000 to $109,000, and where you land depends on your experience, your skills, and how well you negotiate. PE licensure is nearly essential for advancement and adds significant salary premium. These figures are Orbyt estimates, computed rather than measured, and must not be cited as Bureau of Labor Statistics figures; the published BLS wage for the occupation this role maps to is shown separately on this page.
Salary range.
Where do you fall?
Orbyt estimate for Civil Engineer in Fargo, modelled from national occupation wages adjusted for local cost of living. The published government benchmark for this occupation is below.
Government benchmark for this occupation
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $95,530 for Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 510 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$60,900
25th percentile
$75,540
Median
$95,530
75th percentile
$107,310
90th percentile
$149,410
Workers surveyed
510
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Civil Engineers (SOC 17-2051) rather than Civil Engineer specifically. The Fargorange at the top of this page is Orbyt’s role-level estimate, which is a different thing and is labelled as such.
View the BLS source for SOC 17-2051Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $77,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$55,000
to $68,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$72,000
to $89,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$94,000
to $111,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$106,000
to $132,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $23,000 to the total package.
Base
$85,000
Equity
$13,000
Bonus
$8,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $108,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$85,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$100,000
Fargo is $15,000 below
Civil Engineer salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
Here is what the Civil Engineer market actually looks like in Fargo. Fargo has a surprisingly strong technology sector, home to companies like Microsoft's campus and a growing startup ecosystem tied to North Dakota State University. The city's extremely low cost of living and emerging tech scene make it an increasingly attractive option for professionals seeking affordability. PE licensure is nearly essential for advancement and adds significant salary premium. Specialization in transportation, water resources, or geotechnical engineering pays more than general site development. Geographic demand driven by infrastructure spending varies widely, with high-growth Sun Belt metros offering the best compensation packages.
Entry-level civil engineers (EIT) start at $68,000 to $78,000. Licensed PEs earn $86,000 to $112,000 after four to six years. Project managers reach $110,000 to $145,000, with principals at engineering firms earning $150,000 to $200,000 or more. In Fargo, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 15% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Consulting firms offer bonuses of 5 to 10% tied to project billing targets. Government civil engineers receive pension benefits, step increases, and strong job security. Many firms cover PE exam costs and provide annual professional development stipends. And on the tax side: north Dakota has a very low income tax with a top rate of just 2.5%. Fargo has no city income tax. The minimal tax burden combined with low living costs creates excellent take home pay. When someone quotes you $85,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Highlight willingness to work on site. Fargo tech employers struggle to recruit talent to the region and reward candidates who commit to living locally. The range for Civil Engineers in Fargo runs from $67,000 to $109,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: BLS OES, H-1B LCA (DOL). COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified July 1, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A Project Manager in Fargo earns $86,000 (1% more)
- The highest-paying role in Fargo is CTO at $258,000
Common questions.
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