What the numbers say
Civil Engineers in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of $95,110 in 2024, about 1.1% below the US median of $96,198. That gap is narrow enough that state-level pay is effectively at par with the national figure.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners is worth noting. At the 10th percentile, the annual wage was $67,500. At the 90th, it reached $127,610. Top earners make roughly 1.9 times what entry-level peers do, a range typical for an occupation where project scale, licensure, and years of field experience push pay upward over time.
South Dakota's cost-of-living index sits at 89.7, about 10% below the national baseline. In practical terms, $95,110 here buys more than the same number would in a higher-cost state. Adjusted for what the money actually buys, the median wage lands closer to $106,000 in national-baseline dollars, a figure that compares favorably to the US median of $96,198.
BLS projects employment for Civil Engineers to grow 5% between 2024 and 2034, which falls in the faster-than-average category. Infrastructure investment tends to drive demand in states with significant road, bridge, and water system maintenance needs, and South Dakota fits that profile. The total employed here was 1,270 in 2024, a small pool that can make individual hiring decisions feel more consequential than they might in larger markets.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota civil engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $79,150 and $108,590, with a median of $95,110.
Civil Engineers pay by experience level in South Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Building and Construction
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Direct engineering activities, ensuring compliance with environmental, safety, or other governmental regulations.
- 02
Test soils or materials to determine the adequacy and strength of foundations, concrete, asphalt, or steel.
- 03
Inspect project sites to monitor progress and ensure conformance to design specifications and safety or sanitation standards.
- 04
Manage and direct the construction, operations, or maintenance activities at project site.
- 05
Compute load and grade requirements, water flow rates, or material stress factors to determine design specifications.
- 06
Plan and design transportation or hydraulic systems or structures, using computer-assisted design or drawing tools.
- 07
Provide technical advice to industrial or managerial personnel regarding design, construction, program modifications, or structural repairs.
- 08
Analyze survey reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, aerial photography, or other topographical or geologic data.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.0%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Civil Engineers in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Civil Engineers in South Dakota is $95,110.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Civil Engineers?
- The South Dakota median is -1.1% versus the BLS national figure of $96,198.
- What is the salary range for Civil Engineers in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $67,500 and the 90th-percentile at $127,610, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Civil Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Civil Engineers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.