Mechanical Engineer Salary in Mandan, ND: $92,133 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time mechanical engineer in Mandan, ND earns a median $92,133/year (≈ $44.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Once you factor in Mandan's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $100,145 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.5% below the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, mechanical engineer salaries in Mandan, North Dakota, are projected to reach a median annual salary of $92,133, which indicates a 14.01% reduction when compared to the national median of $107,150. The salary range for mechanical engineers in the area spans from $73,038 at the 10th percentile to $137,810 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant variability based on experience and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS estimates and adjusted for the regional cost of living, reflects the ongoing influence of key industries such as aerospace and automotive. With companies like SpaceX and Tesla significantly shaping pay scales, Mandan offers a unique position for mechanical engineers in a broader market that is evolving rapidly.
About the Mandan Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($92,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,038 | $35.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $76,458 | $36.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,133 | $44.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $115,113 | $55.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,810 | $66.26 |
Median Salary Position
14.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mandan
In Mandan, ND, the mechanical engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,772 (2026 est.). At $92,133, the local median is 14.01% below the national median of $107,150.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mandan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mandan Mechanical Engineer Pay Compares
Mandan median: $92,133/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mandan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $98,538 | -6.50% less |
| National Average | $107,150 | -14.01% less |
Mechanical Engineers in Mandan, ND earn a median of $92,133 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.01% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 6.50% below the North Dakota state average of $98,538.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mandan has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mandan, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A mechanical engineer earning $92,133 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,145 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,037
2025 BLS Actual
$89,519
2026 Current Est.
$92,133
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Mandan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,037 | Actual |
| 2020 | $77,524 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,812 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,564 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,107 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,133 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,823 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mandan metropolitan area, the median mechanical engineer salary grew 17.7% from $76,037 (2019) to $89,519 (2025). At a 2.92% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,823 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,786 (24.71%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mandan metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,038 – $76,458 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $76,458 – $92,133 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,133 – $115,113 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $115,113 – $137,810 |
ME, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual mechanical engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Mechanical Engineer Job Market in Mandan
Currently, the local job market employs only 6 mechanical engineers, suggesting a niche but stable employment environment. Mandan’s cost of living index stands at 92, 8% below the national average, which translates to greater purchasing power despite the lower salaries compared to national figures. Local industry players, particularly in sectors like aerospace—where companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin operate—tend to offer more competitive compensation. Factors contributing to wage disparity include industry type, tenure, and qualifications such as a PE license, especially for HVAC and related fields. Additionally, pursuing roles within the high-tech corridors of automotive or aerospace, or those that require security clearance, can lead to enhanced salaries. Those striving to maximize their mechanical engineer pay in Mandan should focus on networking within specialized sectors and considering further credentials that could elevate their standing in the competitive landscape.
More salary data for Mandan, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $89,519 for mechanical engineersin the Mandan metropolitan area. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mandan is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov