Mechanical Engineers pay range in Grand Forks
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,400 a year or less, while the top 10% make $127,920 or more. The middle half of mechanical engineers in Grand Forks earn between $76,690 and $106,940.
- $65K10th
- $77K25th
- $91KMedian
- $107K75th
- $128K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $94,770 | $7,898 | $45.56 |
| Median | $91,430 | $7,619 | $43.96 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $76,690 | $6,391 | $36.87 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $106,940 | $8,912 | $51.41 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Mechanical Engineers pay in Grand Forks vs. North Dakota and the U.S.
Mechanical engineers in Grand Forks earn about the same as the North Dakota average ($96,400) and 17% less than the U.S. average ($113,610). At the median the gap is -12% against the U.S. median of $104,110.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $94,770 | $91,430 | $65,400 | $127,920 | 90 |
| North Dakota | $96,400 | $86,330 | $63,930 | $136,060 | 790 |
| United States | $113,610 | $104,110 | $73,990 | $164,340 | 296,810 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Mechanical Engineers salary after taxes in Grand Forks
On the average salary of $94,770, a single filer in Grand Forks takes home about $74,933 a year, or $6,244 a month and $2,882 every two weeks. Taxes take 21% of gross pay.
The Grand Forks, ND-MN metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in ND | $74,933 | $6,244 |
| Working in MN | $70,580 | $5,882 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
Is Grand Forks a good place for mechanical engineers? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Grand Forks area are 13% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 86.7), so the average $94,770 buys what about $109,355 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.8 times the median wage of all jobs in Grand Forks ($49,760). A typical home costs $275,955, or 2.9 years of this average salary before tax.
Mechanical Engineers salary in other North Dakota cities
Grand Forks ranks 1st of 2 North Dakota metro areas for this job, the best-paid in the state.
- Grand Forks$94,770
- Fargo$93,120
Highest-paying cities for mechanical engineers
San Jose, CA pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($165,920).
- San Jose, CA$165,920
- San Francisco, CA$158,690
- Santa Cruz, CA$139,810
- Augusta, GA$137,040
- Baton Rouge, LA$136,970
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Mechanical Engineers salary in Grand Forks: questions
How much do mechanical engineers make an hour in Grand Forks?
$45.56 an hour on average, and $43.96 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level mechanical engineers salary in Grand Forks?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $65,400 a year and the 25th percentile is $76,690, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the mechanical engineers take-home pay in Grand Forks?
About $74,933 a year ($6,244 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $94,770.
Do mechanical engineers earn more in Grand Forks than elsewhere?
The average here is 17% less than the U.S. average for this job ($113,610).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 17-2141; area Grand Forks, ND-MN (24220). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.4%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules).
- Job concentration: location quotient 0.89, this job is about as common as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.