Mechanical Engineer Salary in South Dakota
Based on 560+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$88,380
$42.49/hr
vs National Average
$105,416
-16.2% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$65K – $134K
560 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Mechanical Engineer in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,130 |
| 25th percentile | $77,160 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $88,380 |
| 75th percentile | $106,850 |
| 90th percentile | $134,140 |
Top-Paying Industries for Mechanical Engineer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Mechanical Engineers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $175,610 | 1K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $138,030 | 1K |
| Utilities | $135,150 | 2K |
| Finance and Insurance | $128,760 | 100 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $128,390 | 12K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Mechanical Engineer in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $82,810 |
| 2023 | $84,050 |
| 2024 | $90,590 |
| 2025 | $88,380 |
| 2026 (projected) | $88,380 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $82,810 | $92,043 |
| 2023 | $84,050 | $97,128 |
| 2024 | $90,590 | $102,901 |
| 2025 | $88,380 | $105,416 |
| 2026 (projected) | $88,380 | $105,416 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $77,160 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $88,380 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $106,850 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $134,140 |
Mechanical Engineer Salary in Other States
Related Mechanical Engineer Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Mechanical Engineer ($88,380 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Mechanical Engineer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering Manager in SD | $164,330 | +85.9% | $79.00/hr |
| Electrical Engineer in SD | $98,980 | +12.0% | $47.59/hr |
| Environmental Engineer in SD | $98,890 | +11.9% | $47.54/hr |
| Civil Engineer in SD | $98,700 | +11.7% | $47.45/hr |
| Industrial Engineer in SD | $93,200 | +5.5% | $44.81/hr |
| Veterinarian in SD | $88,650 | +0.3% | $42.62/hr |
| Financial Examiner in SD | $88,690 | +0.4% | $42.64/hr |
| Securities Sales Agent in SD | $86,780 | -1.8% | $41.72/hr |
| Tax Examiner in SD | $86,260 | -2.4% | $41.47/hr |
| Occupational Therapist in SD | $85,050 | -3.8% | $40.89/hr |
| Dental Hygienist in SD | $92,210 | +4.3% | $44.33/hr |
| Physical Therapist in SD | $92,660 | +4.8% | $44.55/hr |