Mechanical Engineer salary in South Dakota
Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota earn a median of $88,380 a year ($42.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 560 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,140 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $104,110. South Dakota ranks 47th of 51 states for mechanical engineers pay. There are 1.2 mechanical engineers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.64). The average (mean) salary is $95,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for mechanical engineers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,130 | $31.31 |
| 25th percentile | $77,160 | $37.10 |
| Median | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| 75th percentile | $106,850 | $51.37 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $134,140 | $64.49 |
| Average (mean) | $95,080 | $45.71 |
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 | $7,365 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,682.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,399.23 |
| Weekly | $1,699.62 |
| Hourly | $42.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Mechanical Engineer salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $95,250 | 70 |
| Rapid City, SD | $94,180 | 140 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Industrial Engineer | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| 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 17-2141. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for mechanical engineers in South Dakota is $88,380 a year, or $42.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $134,140 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid mechanical engineers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of mechanical engineers in South Dakota earn at least $134,140 a year. The top 25% earn $106,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for mechanical engineers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,130 a year, and a quarter of mechanical engineers earn $77,160 or less.
How many mechanical engineers work in South Dakota?
About 560 mechanical engineers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.