verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Mechanical Engineer Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$88,380/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$42.49/hr
▼ 15% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
560
public U.S. Median
$104,110
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$99,767 #40 of 51

Mechanical Engineer pay in South Dakota, explained

Mechanical engineers in South Dakota earn a median of $88,380 per year ($42.49 per hour), which is 15% below the national median of $104,110. Entry-level workers earn around $65,130, while the most experienced mechanical engineers reach about $134,140. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $88,380 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $88,380 is worth about $99,767 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #40 for real pay (vs #47 on the sticker number).

See the full Mechanical Engineer Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Mechanical Engineer pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$65,130
$31.31/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$88,380
$42.49/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$134,140
$64.49/hr

Mechanical Engineer pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $88,380 $99,767
Wyoming $117,750 $127,035 −$29,370
Minnesota $99,140 $100,526 −$10,760
Iowa $97,700 $111,324 −$9,320
Montana $94,190 $99,519 −$5,810
Nebraska $88,060 $97,733 +$320
North Dakota $86,330 $97,045 +$2,050

Mechanical Engineer in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do mechanical engineers make in South Dakota?

Mechanical engineers in South Dakota earn a median of $88,380 per year ($42.49 per hour), compared with $104,110 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay mechanical engineers well?

At $88,380, South Dakota pays 15% below the national median for mechanical engineers. An estimated 560 work in the state.

Mechanical Engineer salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

Related careers in South Dakota