State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: District of Columbia vs South Dakota
Mechanical Engineers in District of Columbia earn a median of $133,300. In South Dakota, $88,380. After cost-of-living, the gap is 21.6% — not 50.8%.
Nominal pay gap
+50.8%
District of Columbia vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+21.6%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
District of Columbia
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $133,300
- p25
- $107,300
- p75
- $166,360
- p10
- $86,820
- p90
- $195,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 109.9
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -40%
South Dakota
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $88,380
- p25
- $77,160
- p75
- $106,850
- p10
- $65,130
- p90
- $134,140
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.