Mechanical Engineer salary in Rapid City, SD
Mechanical Engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $94,180 a year ($45.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $70,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,640 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 7% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $88,380. There are 2.0 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $100,000, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $70,590 | $33.94 |
| 25th percentile | $81,370 | $39.12 |
| Median | $94,180 | $45.28 |
| 75th percentile | $106,920 | $51.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $136,640 | $65.69 |
| Average (mean) | $100,000 | $48.08 |
Half of mechanical 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 | $7,848.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,924.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,622.31 |
| Weekly | $1,811.15 |
| Hourly | $45.28 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $95,250 | 70 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $85,740 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for mechanical engineers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Mexico | $157,710 |
| District of Columbia | $133,300 |
| California | $130,900 |
| Delaware | $125,130 |
| Colorado | $124,430 |
| Alaska | $124,340 |
| Maryland | $122,870 |
| Louisiana | $119,540 |
| Massachusetts | $119,300 |
| Wyoming | $117,750 |
See Mechanical Engineer pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 mechanical engineer make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $94,180 a year, or $45.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $70,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $136,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $136,640 a year. The top 25% earn $106,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $70,590 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $81,370 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 140 mechanical engineers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.