Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay in Rapid City, SD: $46.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a mechanical engineer working in Rapid City, SD runs $46.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $96,930 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2141). Weighted against Rapid City's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $52.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,160 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Mechanical engineers in Rapid City, South Dakota, earn a median hourly pay of $46.60, which falls below the national median of $51.51. This hourly rate can provide flexible earnings for part-time workers or those engaged in per-diem contracts, who often find themselves in engineering environments such as automotive and aerospace offices, manufacturing floors, or during specialized site visits for HVAC systems. With an hourly range spanning from $34.93 for entry-level positions to $67.61 for those among the top 10% of earners, there are various opportunities for both new and seasoned engineers in the area. This data, derived from BLS figures and projected for 2026, illustrates the competitive earning potential for mechanical engineers within Rapid City, SD.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34.93 | $279.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40.26 | $322.10 |
| Median (P50) | $46.60 | $372.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.90 | $423.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67.61 | $540.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rapid City
Based on $46.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.60/hr, a mechanical engineer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rapid City, SD can expect to earn approximately $96,933 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $55,923. With a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rapid City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rapid City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,864.09 | $8,078 | $96,933 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,118.45 | $4,847 | $58,160 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $745.63 | $3,231 | $38,773 |
Compare ME, PE Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineer (Rapid City) | $46.60 |
| Civil Engineer (National Avg) | $47.06 |
| Electrical Engineer (National Avg) | $54.18 |
| Industrial Engineer (National Avg) | $47.50 |
| Aerospace Engineer (National Avg) | $63.06 |
Mechanical Engineers in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $96,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.54% lower than the national median of $107,150 and 2.50% below the South Dakota state average of $99,415.
Mechanical Engineer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.60/hr = $58,160/year (purchasing power: $65,231).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $96,933/year (purchasing power: $108,718).
CoL index: 89.16 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.59/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Mechanical Engineers in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.92% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.59/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $42.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $47.25/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for mechanical engineers in Rapid City grew 20.5% from $37.59/hr (2019) to $45.28/hr (2025). At a 2.92% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $47.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem mechanical engineers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.92% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Mechanical Engineer in Rapid City
For those considering part-time work, a mechanical engineer working three days a week (24 hours) would take home a different annual figure compared to full-time counterparts, presenting a balance for those seeking work-life equilibrium. Additionally, per-diem mechanical engineer pay in Rapid City can be significantly higher, with rates ranging from $90 to $160 per hour for general contract work and even more for specialized roles, such as HVAC licensed professionals earning between $100 to $180 per hour. It is also worth noting that aerospace engineers in security-cleared positions may command rates between $120 to $220 per hour. Employers across various sectors, including automotive giants like Tesla and Rivian, or defense entities like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, tend to offer differing hourly rates. As candidates weigh their options, considerations around benefits versus higher pay can influence decision-making, especially in a region where health insurance and retirement contributions might sway favor in favor of lower hourly rates. Ultimately, practical negotiation skills become imperative for engineers in Rapid City as they navigate different opportunities in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering. She specializes in thermal analysis and works in the automotive industry.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.92% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for mechanical engineers in Rapid City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.92%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for mechanical engineers (SOC 17-2141).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, PE, a licensed mechanical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov