Technology Bismarck, ND Pop. 73,529

Software Engineer Salary in Bismarck, North Dakota

The median software engineer salary in Bismarck, ND is $106,812 per year, which is 14% below the national median and 0.0% above the North Dakota state average.

City Median
$106,812
vs State Avg
+$0
vs National
$-17,388
Cost of Living
90%

Software Engineer Pay in Bismarck: What to Expect (2026)

Bismarck offers a median software engineer salary of $106,812, which is $0 above the North Dakota state average of $106,812. Compared to the national median of $124,200, Bismarck pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Bismarck's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for software engineers in Bismarck spans from $64,156 at the 10th percentile to $170,779 at the 90th percentile — a $106,623 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $67,080, while senior software engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $159,100. Bismarck is a smaller market (pop. 73,529), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Software Engineer Salary in Bismarck by Experience

In Bismarck, an entry-level software engineer earns around $67,080, while experienced professionals earn up to $159,100 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$67,080
$-10,920 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$107,500
$-17,500 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$159,100
$-25,900 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Bismarck, ND

Percentile Bismarck
10th Percentile $64,156
25th Percentile $84,452
Median (50th) $106,812
75th Percentile $136,052
90th Percentile $170,779

Software Engineer Salary in Other North Dakota Cities

Fargo, ND
$111,780
Pop. 125,990
West Fargo, ND
$110,538
Pop. 38,626
Minot, ND
$109,296
Pop. 48,639
Grand Forks, ND
$104,328
Pop. 56,588

How to Become a Software Engineer in Bismarck

Education

Most software engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Bismarck and the surrounding North Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

PythonJavaScriptSQLGitCloud PlatformsSystem Design

Job Outlook

Nationally, software engineer employment is projected to grow 25% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Bismarck may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Software Engineer Jobs in Bismarck

Browse open software engineer positions in Bismarck, ND:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: Software Engineer Salary in Bismarck

How much does a Software Engineer make in Bismarck, ND? ▼
The median software engineer salary in Bismarck, North Dakota is $106,812 per year, which is 14% below the national median of $124,200. Salaries range from $64,156 (10th percentile) to $170,779 (90th percentile).
How much does a Software Engineer make per hour in Bismarck? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $106,812, a software engineer in Bismarck earns approximately $51 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Bismarck compare to the North Dakota state average for software engineer pay? ▼
Bismarck's median software engineer salary of $106,812 is 0.0% above the North Dakota state average of $106,812. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Bismarck, ND? ▼
Bismarck has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a software engineer salary of $106,812 in Bismarck has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a software engineer in Bismarck? ▼
Most software engineer positions in Bismarck require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Python, JavaScript, SQL, Git. The job market is projected to grow 25% nationally over the next decade.