How much does a Mechanical Engineer make in North Dakota?

BLS puts the average Mechanical Engineer pay in North Dakota at $96,400 a year (BLS, May 2025). On that pay in North Dakota, after federal taxes, FICA, and North Dakota state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $76,048 annually ($6,337/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Mechanical Engineer in North Dakota?

On a $96,400 salary in North Dakota, your take-home pay is approximately $76,048/year or $6,337/month. Federal tax: $12,378. State tax: $599. FICA: $7,375.

Is $96,400 a good Mechanical Engineer salary?

$96,400 is the BLS average Mechanical Engineer pay in North Dakota, 15% below the US average of $113,610 (BLS, May 2025). The middle 50% in North Dakota earn between $77,990 and $114,830.

How do North Dakota taxes affect Mechanical Engineer salaries?

North Dakota levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $96,400 is $599. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 21.1%.

What are the career growth prospects for Mechanical Engineers?

In North Dakota, the top 10% earn over $136,060 and the bottom 10% under $63,930 (BLS, May 2025). 10% growth through 2032 (faster than average); EV/aerospace/defense subspecialties growing faster, manufacturing slower. Related roles include: Aerospace Engineer, Manufacturing Engineer, Design Engineer, Thermal Engineer, Test Engineer, Project Engineer, Principal Mechanical Engineer, PE Mechanical.

How can a Mechanical Engineer in North Dakota reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Engineering

Mechanical Engineer Salary in North Dakota (2026)

Average Mechanical Engineer pay in North Dakota

$96,400/year

≈ $46/hour before tax

Middle 50% earn $77,990–$114,830

US average: $113,610

Source: BLS, May 2025

After tax (single filer)

$76,048/year

$6,337/month · effective tax rate 21.11%

Federal $12,378
State $599
FICA $7,375
Take-home

Pay by role in North Dakota

Senior / Principal ME (Fargo metro)BLS · Fargo, ND-MN · 75th–90th percentile$106,930–$135,940
Senior / Principal ME (any industry)BLS · 75th–90th percentile$114,830–$136,060
Engineering ManagerBLS · middle 50%$132,150–$175,280
Mechanical Engineer (any industry)BLS · middle 50%$77,990–$114,830
EIT / Entry-Level MEBLS · 10th–25th percentile$63,930–$77,990

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$76,048
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$6,337
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$2,925
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$37/hr
Federal Tax	$12,378
State Tax	$599
FICA Taxes	$7,375
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	21.11%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Mechanical Engineers earn the same — not even close

North Dakota's mechanical engineering market is anchored by Doosan-Bobcat Fargo + Wahpeton + Gwinner (the substantial Bobcat skid steer + compact excavator manufacturing + the substantial post-2007 Doosan-Bobcat $4.9B + post-2024 Doosan-HD Bobcat split + ~2K+ Fargo + ~600+ Wahpeton + ~500+ Gwinner workforce), Caterpillar West Fargo (substantial Caterpillar earthmoving + the substantial Caterpillar West Fargo wheel loader + grader operations), John Deere Fargo + Wahpeton (ag equipment + the substantial John Deere ND operations), Marvin Engineering (substantial private precision manufacturing) + Hexagon Composites Fargo (FRP fuel cylinders) + Polaris Industries (Roseau MN-ND cross-border), the substantial Bakken oilfield ME (Continental + ConocoPhillips + Hess + Marathon + the substantial Bakken drilling + completion + production ME), Minot AFB + post-2024 Sentinel ICBM mechanical sustainment + Grand Forks AFB Global Hawk ME, plus UND + NDSU Engineering pipelines.

Senior / Principal ME (Fargo metro)

$106,930–$135,940

Doosan-Bobcat Fargo + Wahpeton + Gwinner · skid steer + compact excavator ME

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · Fargo, ND-MN · 75th–90th percentile

Senior / Principal ME (any industry)

$114,830–$136,060

Continental + ConocoPhillips + Hess + Marathon Bakken · drilling + completion + production

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · North Dakota · 75th–90th percentile

Engineering Manager

$132,150–$175,280

ME team lead at Doosan-Bobcat + Caterpillar + John Deere + Marvin · team lead

Source: BLS May 2025 · Architectural and Engineering Managers · North Dakota · middle 50%

Mechanical Engineer (any industry)

$77,990–$114,830

Functional ME at ND major employers · transitioning to senior band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · North Dakota · middle 50%

EIT / Entry-Level ME

$63,930–$77,990

UND + NDSU + Dickinson State Engineering pipeline · entry band

Source: BLS May 2025 · Mechanical Engineers · North Dakota · 10th–25th percentile

Worth knowing: Doosan-Bobcat Fargo + Caterpillar West Fargo + John Deere Fargo tri-anchor + Bakken oilfield ME is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state heavy equipment manufacturing + oilfield ME anchor and a feature most national ME surveys understate for ND. Doosan-Bobcat Fargo + Wahpeton + Gwinner (~3K+ ND workforce + post-2007 Doosan-Bobcat $4.9B acquisition + the substantial post-2024 Doosan-HD Bobcat split + the substantial Bobcat skid steer + compact excavator + compact track loader + Bobcat Wahpeton expansion + Bobcat Gwinner attachment manufacturing + the substantial Bobcat connected machines + telematics ME + the substantial Bobcat North America manufacturing operations) supports substantial ND heavy equipment ME. Senior Doosan-Bobcat MEs clear $98-148K+ TC. Caterpillar West Fargo wheel loader + grader earthmoving + John Deere Fargo + Wahpeton ag equipment + Marvin Engineering precision + Hexagon Composites FRP fuel cylinders + Polaris ND-MN cross-border. The substantial Bakken oilfield ME (Continental Resources + ConocoPhillips + Hess + Marathon + Oasis Petroleum Bakken drilling + completion + production ME + the substantial post-2010 Bakken oil boom oilfield ME demand). Minot AFB + post-2024 Sentinel ICBM mechanical sustainment + Grand Forks AFB Global Hawk ME. ND flat 1.95%/2.5% top + ND RTW since 1948 anchor the ND ME proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Mechanical Engineers in North Dakota and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and North Dakota 2026 state rates. Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Run your own numbers