Mechanical Engineers Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Rapid City, SD

Median annual salary $90,460 -11.6% vs national
Median hourly $43.49
10th percentile $72,770
90th percentile $154,950
Employed locally 130
National median $102,320

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Mechanical Engineers
in
Rapid City, SD
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $72,770
    25th
    $79,070
    50th (median)
    $90,460
    75th
    $104,210
    90th
    $154,950

    Rapid City economic context

    Unemployment rate 1.80% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,985 2023 • Census ACS
    Mechanical Engineers salary vs area income 126% Median Mechanical Engineers salary is 26% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Mechanical Engineers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area $181,480
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $147,730
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $145,640
    New Mexico $141,490
    Salinas, CA $141,420
    Baton Rouge, LA $132,850

    Nearby metros — Mechanical Engineers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Sioux Falls, SD-MN $94,780
    Sioux City, IA-NE-SD $90,590
    Gadsden, AL $81,710

    Related occupations in Rapid City, SD

    OccupationMedian salary
    Civil Engineers $91,900
    Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians $54,080
    Engineers, All Other $82,970
    Electrical Engineers $95,640
    Surveyors $84,420
    Industrial Engineers $80,970

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Mechanical Engineers make per hour in Rapid City?

    The median hourly wage for Mechanical Engineers in Rapid City, SD is $43.49, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $65.69 or more per hour.

    Is Rapid City above or below average for Mechanical Engineers salaries?

    The median Mechanical Engineers salary in Rapid City, SD is 11.6% below the national median of $102,320. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Mechanical Engineers in Rapid City?

    Entry-level Mechanical Engineers (10th percentile) earn around $72,770 per year in Rapid City, SD. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $79,070.