Civil Engineer Salary in Fargo, ND
Civil Engineers in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median $95,530 a year — 5% less than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $75,432 take-home, or $6,286 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median civil engineer salary in Fargo, ND. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$12,187
- Social Security (6.2%)$5,923
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,385
- North Dakota income tax$604
- Take-home pay$75,432
Marginal rate: 22% federal + 1.95% state
The Fargo, ND-MN metro spans North Dakota, Minnesota. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Civil Engineer pay by experience in Fargo, ND
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,900 | $29.28 | $51,113 | $4,259 |
| 25th percentile | $75,540 | $36.32 | $61,759 | $5,147 |
| Median (50th) | $95,530 | $45.93 | $75,432 | $6,286 |
| 75th percentile | $107,310 | $51.59 | $83,489 | $6,957 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $149,410 | $71.83 | $111,733 | $9,311 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, North Dakota resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $95,530 buys in Fargo, ND
Prices in Fargo, ND are 9.1% lower than the U.S. average (housing costs are 19% below the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median civil engineer's $75,432 take-home pay has the buying power of $83,010 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Fargo, ND has 1.4× the national concentration of civil engineer jobs — a strong local market for this occupation.
Best-paying cities for civil engineers, adjusted for cost of living
Fargo, ND ranks #18 of 125 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kennewick, WA | $121,370 | $94,214 | $94,139 |
| 2 | Baton Rouge, LA | $112,430 | $84,938 | $93,565 |
| 3 | Mobile, AL | $107,810 | $79,549 | $90,296 |
| 4 | New Orleans, LA | $108,240 | $82,116 | $88,681 |
| 5 | Sioux Falls, SD | $99,700 | $78,969 | $87,132 |
| 6 | Tulsa, OK | $102,080 | $76,595 | $85,856 |
| 7 | Sacramento, CA | $130,150 | $90,657 | $84,988 |
| 8 | Beaumont, TX | $95,510 | $76,021 | $84,425 |
| 18 | Fargo, ND | $95,530 | $75,432 | $83,010 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 125 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Fargo, ND?
The median civil engineer salary in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $95,530 a year, or about $45.93 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $75,540 and $107,310.
What is a civil engineer’s take-home pay in Fargo, ND?
On the median $95,530 salary, a single filer living in North Dakota takes home about $75,432 a year ($6,286 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $604 in North Dakota taxes in 2026.
Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a civil engineer?
Pay here is 5% below the national median of $100,840. Local prices are 9.1% below the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $83,010 would in a typical U.S. city. Fargo, ND ranks #18 of 125 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a civil engineer afford rent in Fargo, ND?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Fargo, ND is $917 a month ($1,112 for two bedrooms) — 15% of a median civil engineer’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.