Surveyor salary in Rapid City, SD
Surveyors in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $78,320 a year ($37.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $58,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,030 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $75,440. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $77,190. There are 0.61 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $83,220, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,270 | $28.01 |
| 25th percentile | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Median | $78,320 | $37.65 |
| 75th percentile | $97,620 | $46.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,030 | $52.42 |
| Average (mean) | $83,220 | $40.01 |
Half of surveyors 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 | $6,526.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,263.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,012.31 |
| Weekly | $1,506.15 |
| Hourly | $37.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Surveyor salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $81,030 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for surveyors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 |
| Alaska | $99,550 |
| Oregon | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 |
| Washington | $85,610 |
| Montana | $84,610 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 |
| Maine | $83,200 |
| Delaware | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $82,460 |
See Surveyor pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $115,600 | $55.58 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,300 | $48.22 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $94,180 | $45.28 |
| Electrical Engineer | $105,330 | $50.64 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,610 | $28.18 |
| Industrial Engineer | $81,480 | $39.17 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $57,300 | $27.55 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $51,940 | $24.97 |
| Environmental Engineer | $94,370 | $45.37 |
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 17-1022. 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 surveyor make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for surveyors in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $78,320 a year, or $37.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $58,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $109,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of surveyors in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $109,030 a year. The top 25% earn $97,620 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $58,270 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $68,890 or less.
How many surveyors work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 surveyors are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.