Data Engineer Salary in Brookings, South Dakota
The median data engineer salary in Brookings, SD is $101,250 per year, which is 19% below the national median and 2.4% below the South Dakota state average.
Data Engineer Pay in Brookings: What to Expect (2026)
Brookings offers a median data engineer salary of $101,250, which is $2,500 below the South Dakota state average of $103,750. Compared to the national median of $125,000, Brookings pays below the national benchmark for this role.
One of Brookings's biggest advantages is its low cost of living at 86% of the national average. This means the $101,250 salary stretches further here — equivalent to roughly $117,733 in an average-cost city. This makes Brookings an attractive option for data engineers seeking strong real-dollar compensation.
The salary range for data engineers in Brookings spans from $63,180 at the 10th percentile to $153,900 at the 90th percentile — a $90,720 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $64,800, while senior data engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $145,800. Brookings is a smaller market (pop. 24,194), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.
Data Engineer Salary in Brookings by Experience
In Brookings, an entry-level data engineer earns around $64,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $145,800 per year. The local cost of living index is 86% of the national average.
Salary Percentiles in Brookings, SD
| Percentile | Brookings |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $63,180 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,000 |
| Median (50th) | $101,250 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,980 |
| 90th Percentile | $153,900 |
Data Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities
How to Become a Data Engineer in Brookings
Education
Most data engineer positions require a bachelor's degree. Brookings and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.
Key Skills
Job Outlook
Nationally, data engineer employment is projected to grow 28% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Brookings may vary based on local industry and population growth.
Find Data Engineer Jobs in Brookings
Browse open data engineer positions in Brookings, SD: