Mechanical Engineer salary in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
Mechanical Engineers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn a median of $85,740 a year ($41.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,260 for the top 10%. That is 18% lower than the national median of $104,110. Pay here is 3% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $88,380. There are 1.1 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.56). The average (mean) salary is $92,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,330 | $30.45 |
| 25th percentile | $76,470 | $36.77 |
| Median | $85,740 | $41.22 |
| 75th percentile | $105,430 | $50.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $132,260 | $63.59 |
| Average (mean) | $92,860 | $44.64 |
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 | $7,145 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,572.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,297.69 |
| Weekly | $1,648.85 |
| Hourly | $41.22 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| La Crosse-Onalaska, WI-MN | $102,280 | 190 |
| Mankato, MN | $101,350 | 80 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $101,180 | 4,450 |
| Rochester, MN | $97,100 | 120 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $95,250 | 70 |
| Rapid City, SD | $94,180 | 140 |
| Grand Forks, ND-MN | $91,430 | 90 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $90,670 | 120 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $90,490 | 230 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $86,330 | 290 |
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $99,700 | $47.93 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,980 | $47.59 |
| Industrial Engineer | $97,730 | $46.98 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $84,540 | $40.65 |
| Environmental Engineer | $102,390 | $49.23 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $58,860 | $28.30 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $64,740 | $31.12 |
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $104,650 | $50.31 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,780 | $24.90 |
| Surveyor | $81,030 | $38.96 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,650 | $28.20 |
| Surveying and Mapping Technicians | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Landscape Architect | $70,620 | $33.95 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in Sioux Falls, SD-MN
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 Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $85,740 a year, or $41.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,330 for the lowest-paid 10% to $132,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area earn at least $132,260 a year. The top 25% earn $105,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,330 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $76,470 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in Sioux Falls, SD-MN?
About 190 mechanical engineers are employed in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.