South Dakota Median
$53,670
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $74,510
State Rank
#43 of 44
110 employed here
How much do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians make in South Dakota?
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $53,670 per year, or about $25.80 per hour. That is 28% below the national median of $74,510 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $45,150 while the top 10% make $77,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,990 and $64,900 a year.
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,150 | $21.71 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,990 | $23.55 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,670 | $25.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $64,900 | $31.20 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,980 | $37.49 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 44 states and territories for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in other states
Louisiana $102,800New Mexico $97,560Missouri $92,150California $87,390Connecticut $82,660Rhode Island $81,600Oregon $80,840Nebraska $80,050Washington $79,410Maryland $79,180Ohio $78,500New York $78,210Kentucky $77,990Delaware $77,820Indiana $77,220Colorado $77,090Illinois $77,020Maine $76,790Texas $76,610North Dakota $76,440Virginia $75,650Georgia $73,870Nevada $72,950Arizona $72,090Iowa $71,670Pennsylvania $70,820Mississippi $70,570South Carolina $69,580Idaho $68,310Michigan $68,170Wisconsin $67,850New Hampshire $66,740New Jersey $65,180Minnesota $63,990Massachusetts $62,390North Carolina $62,360Tennessee $62,270Utah $61,870Oklahoma $61,480Alabama $60,350Florida $59,720Kansas $55,390West Virginia $47,660
Working as Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in South Dakota
Nationally, about 36,000 people work as Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians in the United States. An associate degree (about 2 years of college) is the typical entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($53,670) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians make in South Dakota?
The median Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary in South Dakota is $53,670 per year, or about $25.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,150 at the entry level to $77,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians about 28% less than the national median of $74,510. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,670 a year. About 110 Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.