State comparison · 2025
Mechanical Engineers salary: New Mexico vs South Dakota
Mechanical Engineers in New Mexico earn a median of $157,710. In South Dakota, $88,380. After cost-of-living, the gap is 71.5% — not 78.4%.
Nominal pay gap
+78.4%
New Mexico vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+71.5%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
New Mexico
Mechanical Engineers
- Median
- $157,710
- p25
- $128,080
- p75
- $162,880
- p10
- $103,780
- p90
- $203,140
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 92.2
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -87%
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.