Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Mechanical Engineer in South Dakota earned $90,590 in 2024, about 13% below the national median of $104,651. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
South Dakota's cost of living runs roughly 10% below the national average. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the in-state median lands closer to $100,900 in national-baseline dollars. That narrows the headline gap to under 4%.
The spread between low and high earners is worth noting. Engineers at the 10th percentile earned $70,510 in 2024. Those at the 90th earned $128,810. Top earners here make about 1.8 times what those at the entry end make, which is a moderate range for an engineering occupation. It suggests the field in South Dakota does not have the deep concentration of specialized or senior roles that drives wider gaps in larger states.
Total employment was 680, a small base. BLS projects the occupation to grow faster than average nationally through 2034, at 9% over that period. Whether that rate holds for South Dakota specifically depends on local hiring conditions, but the national trajectory at least points in a stable direction.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota mechanical engineers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $77,160 and $106,850, with a median of $88,380.
Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 7 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $66,685. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $62,969 |
| Level II — qualified | 2 | $77,053 |
| Level III — experienced | 1 | $79,414 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Riverview, LLP | Mechanical Engineer | 2 | $60,938 |
| Cullerton Group, LLC | Mechanical Engineer I | 1 | $66,685 |
| Genpro Energy Solutions, LLC. | Senior Mechanical Engineer | 1 | $77,106 |
| Jaydu LLC | Mechanical Design Engineer | 1 | $77,000 |
| Midwestern Mechanical Inc. | VDC Project Coordinator | 1 | $65,000 |
| Terex South Dakota, Inc. | Design Engineer II | 1 | $79,414 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Mechanical Engineer at Riverview, LLP$60,938RaymondWage Level IDecided May 12, 2025I-200-25125-936516
- VDC Project Coordinator at Midwestern Mechanical Inc.$65,000Sioux FallsWage Level IDecided May 5, 2025I-200-25118-910971
- Design Engineer II at Terex South Dakota, Inc.$79,414WatertownWage Level IIIDecided Apr 23, 2025I-200-25106-869702
- Mechanical Engineer I at Cullerton Group, LLC$66,685Rapid CityWage Level IDecided Apr 15, 2025I-200-25098-843351
- Senior Mechanical Engineer at Genpro Energy Solutions, LLC.$77,106PiedmontWage Level IIDecided Apr 14, 2025I-200-25097-838389
- Mechanical Design Engineer at Jaydu LLC$77,000WatertownWage Level IIDecided Jan 22, 2025I-200-25015-618889
- Mechanical Engineer at Riverview, LLP$60,938VeblenWage Level IDecided May 12, 2025I-200-25125-936620
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Mechanical 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.
Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 3 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Manufacturing leads with a median of $79,414.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | Terex South Dakota, Inc. | 1 | $79,414 |
| Professional services | Jaydu LLC | 1 | $77,000 |
| Technology and software | Cullerton Group, LLC | 1 | $66,685 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.9 / 5
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Mathematics
Knowledge
- 4.6 / 5
Design
Knowledge
- 4.4 / 5
Mechanical
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Physics
Knowledge
- 4.2 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Read and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, schematics, or computer-generated reports.
- 02
Research, design, evaluate, install, operate, or maintain mechanical products, equipment, systems or processes to meet requirements.
- 03
Confer with engineers or other personnel to implement operating procedures, resolve system malfunctions, or provide technical information.
- 04
Develop, coordinate, or monitor all aspects of production, including selection of manufacturing methods, fabrication, or operation of product designs.
- 05
Investigate equipment failures or difficulties to diagnose faulty operation and recommend remedial actions.
- 06
Develop or test models of alternate designs or processing methods to assess feasibility, sustainability, operating condition effects, potential new applications, or necessity of modification.
- 07
Recommend the use of utility or energy services that minimize carbon footprints.
- 08
Specify system components or direct modification of products to ensure conformance with engineering design, performance specifications, or environmental regulations.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.0%
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 Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota is $88,380.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Mechanical Engineers?
- The South Dakota median is -17.9% versus the BLS national figure of $107,639.
- What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $65,130 and the 90th-percentile at $134,140, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Mechanical Engineers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.0% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Mechanical 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.