How much does a mechanical engineer make in Rapid City?
$94,180a year
Median yearly pay for mechanical engineers in the Rapid City, SD metro area. That is $45.28 an hour or $7,848 a month.
- Hourly
- $45.28
- Vs. national median
- -10%
- Rank among cities
- 259 of 346
- Jobs in the area
- 140
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $70,590Median: $94,180Highest 10%: $136,600
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $70,590 | $33.94 | |
| 25th | $81,370 | $39.12 | |
| Median | $94,180 | $45.28 | |
| 75th | $106,900 | $51.40 | |
| 90th | $136,600 | $65.69 |
Other cities in South Dakota
Median yearly pay for mechanical engineers.
| Sioux City, IA | $95,250 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $85,740 |
Related jobs in Rapid City
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Electrical Engineer | $105,300 |
| Civil Engineer | $100,300 |
| Industrial Engineer | $81,480 |
| Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician | $58,610 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafter | $57,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a mechanical engineer make an hour in Rapid City?
The median hourly pay in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $45.28 ($94,180 a year).
Do mechanical engineers make more in Rapid City than the national average?
No: $94,180 against $104,100 nationally, 10% less.
How does Rapid City compare with the rest of South Dakota?
The median in South Dakota is $88,380, so Rapid City pays 7% more.
Where does Rapid City rank for mechanical engineer pay?
259 of 346 metro areas with data.
How much does a mechanical engineer make starting out in Rapid City?
The lowest-paid 10% make $70,590 or less a year; the top 10% make $136,600 or more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.