Civil Engineer salary in South Dakota
Civil Engineers in South Dakota earn a median of $98,700 a year ($47.45 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,440 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,090 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $100,840. South Dakota ranks 27th of 51 states for civil engineers pay. There are 3.1 civil engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $99,500, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for civil engineers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,050 | $33.68 |
| 25th percentile | $80,560 | $38.73 |
| Median | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| 75th percentile | $115,180 | $55.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $127,090 | $61.10 |
| Average (mean) | $99,500 | $47.84 |
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 | $8,225 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,112.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,796.15 |
| Weekly | $1,898.08 |
| Hourly | $47.45 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Civil Engineer salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $100,300 | 350 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial Engineer | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,980 | $47.59 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,260 | $53.97 |
| Environmental Engineer | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| Surveyor | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $72,910 | $35.05 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for civil engineers in South Dakota is $98,700 a year, or $47.45 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $127,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid civil engineers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of civil engineers in South Dakota earn at least $127,090 a year. The top 25% earn $115,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for civil engineers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,050 a year, and a quarter of civil engineers earn $80,560 or less.
How many civil engineers work in South Dakota?
About 1,440 civil engineers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.