Civil Engineer salary in Rapid City, SD
Civil Engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $100,300 a year ($48.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,430 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $100,840. Pay here is 2% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $98,700. There are 4.7 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $101,340, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,840 | $35.02 |
| 25th percentile | $83,890 | $40.33 |
| Median | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| 75th percentile | $115,180 | $55.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $125,430 | $60.30 |
| Average (mean) | $101,340 | $48.72 |
Half of civil engineers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $8,358.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,179.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,857.69 |
| Weekly | $1,928.85 |
| Hourly | $48.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $99,700 | 540 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $88,460 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for civil engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $122,500 |
| Alaska | $114,730 |
| Washington | $110,000 |
| Massachusetts | $106,730 |
| Louisiana | $105,380 |
| Oregon | $105,250 |
| New Jersey | $104,660 |
| Nevada | $104,310 |
| New Mexico | $103,900 |
| District of Columbia | $103,880 |
See Civil Engineer pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer | $94,180 | $45.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| Industrial Engineer | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,370 | $45.37 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $115,600 | $55.58 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,940 | $24.97 |
| Surveyor | $78,320 | $37.65 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-2051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a civil engineer make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for civil engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $100,300 a year, or $48.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $125,430 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of civil engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $125,430 a year. The top 25% earn $115,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,840 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $83,890 or less.
How many civil engineers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 350 civil engineers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.