Mechanical Engineer.
Fargo.
$87,000
median salary, 15% below the national average
$70,000 to $111,000. Last updated August 2026.
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Data points to own the conversation.
The median Mechanical Engineer salary in Fargo is $87,000, 15% below the national average. Entry level starts near $70,000. Experienced professionals push past $111,000. 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. That spread is your negotiation window. 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 Mechanical 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 $86,330 for Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141) in the Fargo, ND-MN metropolitan area, based on 290 employed workers (May 2025 release).
10th percentile
$63,920
25th percentile
$76,890
Median
$86,330
75th percentile
$106,930
90th percentile
$135,940
Workers surveyed
290
BLS publishes wages by occupation code, not by job title, so this figure covers every role mapped to Mechanical Engineers (SOC 17-2141) rather than Mechanical 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 17-2141Salary by experience.
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $78,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$57,000
to $70,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$74,000
to $91,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$96,000
to $113,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$109,000
to $135,000
Total compensation.
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $19,000 to the total package.
Base
$87,000
Equity
$10,000
Bonus
$7,000
Signing
$2,000
Estimated total: $106,000
How Fargo compares.
Fargo, ND
$87,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$102,000
Fargo is $15,000 below
Mechanical Engineer salary by city.
Salary by role in Fargo.
What you should know.
Before you negotiate a Mechanical Engineer offer in Fargo, understand the terrain. 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. Industry placement creates the widest pay gaps, with automotive, aerospace, and energy sector roles paying 15 to 30% more than HVAC or consumer products. CAD/CAE proficiency, FEA simulation skills, and experience with additive manufacturing or robotics integration command premiums in the current market.
Entry-level mechanical engineers start at $70,000 to $82,000. Senior engineers earn $90,000 to $118,000 after five to seven years. Engineering managers reach $120,000 to $155,000, with directors at large manufacturers earning $160,000 to $200,000. 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. Manufacturing firms offer bonuses of 5 to 12% tied to project milestones and cost savings. Automotive OEMs include profit-sharing of $3,000 to $12,000 annually. Many employers provide PE exam support and professional society membership fees. 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 $87,000, 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 Mechanical Engineers in Fargo runs from $70,000 to $111,000. 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
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Common questions.
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