Mechanical Engineers Salary in Rapid City, SD
The median pay for a mechanical engineers in Rapid City, SD is $90,460/year ($43.49/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $73K at the entry level to $155K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.16), which stretches that salary to about $101,458 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,336/month, or 22.1% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $90K get you in Rapid City?
About mechanical engineers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rapid City, SD
Entry-level mechanical engineers (10th percentile) start around $73K. Mid-career wages sit at $90K.Top earners bring in $155K or more - a $82K spread from bottom to top.
Mechanical Engineers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Mexico | $141K | +38% | 1,690 |
| District of Columbia | $130K | +27% | 590 |
| Alaska | $130K | +27% | 530 |
| California | $126K | +24% | 27,090 |
| Massachusetts | $123K | +20% | 9,430 |
| Wyoming | $117K | +14% | 300 |
| Rhode Island | $115K | +13% | 1,400 |
| Louisiana | $114K | +11% | 1,650 |
| Maryland | $112K | +9% | 6,330 |
| Washington | $109K | +7% | 9,350 |
| Texas | $108K | +6% | 18,790 |
| New Jersey | $107K | +5% | 4,440 |
| Connecticut | $107K | +4% | 5,310 |
| Delaware | $106K | +4% | 530 |
| South Carolina | $105K | +3% | 5,060 |
Track mechanical engineers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rapid City numbers change.
Related careers in Engineering
Frequently asked questions
How much do mechanical engineers make in Rapid City, SD?
The median is $90,460 a year - that works out to about $43.49 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $72,770, and experienced mechanical engineers can clear $154,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $90K enough to live in Rapid City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $6,002/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,336/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 22.3% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mechanical engineers salary go in Rapid City?
Rapid City has a Regional Price Parity of 89.16 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mechanical engineers salary is worth about $101,458 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mechanical engineers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.