Engineering Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Chemical Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median chemical engineer salary in Rapid City, SD is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$95,634
vs State Avg
+$2,125
vs National
$-10,626
Cost of Living
90%

Chemical Engineer Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)

Rapid City offers a median chemical engineer salary of $95,634, which is $2,125 above the South Dakota state average of $93,509. Compared to the national median of $106,260, Rapid City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rapid City's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for chemical engineers in Rapid City spans from $61,200 at the 10th percentile to $154,800 at the 90th percentile — a $93,600 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $63,000, while senior chemical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Chemical Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level chemical engineer earns around $63,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$63,000
$-7,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$97,200
$-10,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$145,800
$-16,200 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $61,200
25th Percentile $75,600
Median (50th) $95,634
75th Percentile $124,200
90th Percentile $154,800

Chemical Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$97,759
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$91,384
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$89,258
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$87,133
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Chemical Engineer in Rapid City

Education

Most chemical engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Process EngineeringChemical ProcessesASPENSafety EngineeringQuality ControlThermodynamics

Job Outlook

Nationally, chemical engineer employment is projected to grow 8% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Chemical Engineer Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open chemical engineer positions in Rapid City, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Chemical Engineer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Chemical Engineer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median chemical engineer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $95,634 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $106,260. Salaries range from $61,200 (10th percentile) to $154,800 (90th percentile).
How much does a Chemical Engineer make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $95,634, a chemical engineer in Rapid City earns approximately $46 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for chemical engineer pay? ▼
Rapid City's median chemical engineer salary of $95,634 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $93,509. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD? ▼
Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a chemical engineer salary of $95,634 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a chemical engineer in Rapid City? ▼
Most chemical engineer positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Process Engineering, Chemical Processes, ASPEN, Safety Engineering. The job market is projected to grow 8% nationally over the next decade.