Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $111,720 (2026)

Machine Learning Engineer Pay in Grand Forks: What to Expect (2026)

Grand Forks offers a median machine learning engineer salary of $111,720, which is $2,660 below the North Dakota state average of $114,380. Compared to the national median of $133,000, Grand Forks pays below the national benchmark for this role.

One of Grand Forks's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 88% of the national average. This means the $111,720 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $126,955 in an average-cost city. This makes Grand Forks an attractive option for machine learning engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.

The salary range for machine learning engineers in Grand Forks spans from $68,880 at the 10th percentile to $172,200 at the 90th percentile — a $103,320 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $73,920, while senior machine learning engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $161,280. Grand Forks is a smaller market (pop. 56,588), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Grand Forks by Experience

In Grand Forks, an entry-level machine learning engineer earns around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $161,280 per year. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$73,920

$-14,080 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$113,400

$-21,600 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$161,280

$-30,720 vs national

Percentile	Grand Forks	ND State	National
10th Percentile	$68,880	$70,520	$82,000
25th Percentile	$90,720	$92,880	$108,000
Median (50th)	$111,720	$114,380	$133,000
75th Percentile	$141,120	$144,480	$168,000
90th Percentile	$172,200	$176,300	$205,000

Percentile

Grand Forks

10th Percentile

$68,880

25th Percentile

$90,720

Median (50th)

$111,720

75th Percentile

$141,120

90th Percentile

$172,200

How to Become a Machine Learning Engineer in Grand Forks

Education

Most machine learning engineer positions require a master's degree. Grand Forks and the surrounding North Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonTensorFlow/PyTorchMLOpsStatisticsDeep LearningData Engineering

Job Outlook

Nationally, machine learning engineer employment is projected to grow 40% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Grand Forks may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Grand Forks

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make in Grand Forks, ND? ▼

The median machine learning engineer salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota is $111,720 per year, which is 16% below the national median of $133,000. Salaries range from $68,880 (10th percentile) to $172,200 (90th percentile).

How much does a Machine Learning Engineer make per hour in Grand Forks? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $111,720, a machine learning engineer in Grand Forks earns approximately $54 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Grand Forks compare to the North Dakota state average for machine learning engineer pay? ▼

Grand Forks's median machine learning engineer salary of $111,720 is 2.3% below the North Dakota state average of $114,380. The local cost of living index is 88% of the national average.

What is the cost of living in Grand Forks, ND? ▼

Grand Forks has a cost of living index of 88% compared to the national average. This means a machine learning engineer salary of $111,720 in Grand Forks has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a machine learning engineer in Grand Forks? ▼

Most machine learning engineer positions in Grand Forks require a master's degree. Key skills include Python, TensorFlow/PyTorch, MLOps, Statistics. The job market is projected to grow 40% nationally over the next decade.

Machine Learning Engineer Salary in Grand Forks, North Dakota