Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| South Dakota | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $88,380 | $107,639 | -18% |
| Median hourly wage | $42.49 | $51.75 | -18% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $99,752.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Mechanical Engineer in South Dakota is $88,380, or about $42.49 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Mechanical Engineers is $107,639. South Dakota is -18% below the national median.
Entry-level mechanical engineers in South Dakota typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 560 mechanical engineer jobs on record and a median salary of $88,380, South Dakota offers competitive pay compared to the rest of the country.