SOC 17-2141 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Mechanical Engineers — Sioux Falls
Sioux Falls, SD-MN · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Sioux Falls, SD is $85,740 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 17.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Sioux Falls, SD is $85,740 a year, trailing the national median of $104,110 by 17.6%. Half of workers earn between $76,470 and $105,430. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $63,330 and the ninetieth at $132,260.
The area has 190 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.1 of every thousand jobs. Rapid City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $94,180. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 60th of 395 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $63,330 | −39.2% |
| 25th | $76,470 | −26.5% |
| Median (50th) | $85,740 | −17.6% |
| 75th | $105,430 | +1.3% |
| 90th | $132,260 | +27.0% |
| Mean | $92,860 | −10.8% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $94,180 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Sioux Falls run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $85,740 goes as far as $96,772 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$85,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$96,772US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $85,740 a year, 17.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $63,330 to $132,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 190 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $94,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Mechanical Engineers in Sioux Falls, SD?
The median annual wage is $85,740, or $41.22 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $104,110, so pay in Sioux Falls, SD is 17.6% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Sioux Falls, SD earns more than $132,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $63,330 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Rapid City, at $94,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 190 jobs in this occupation in Sioux Falls, SD. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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