Electrical Engineer Salary in Rapid City, SD: $94,149 (2026)

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

Rapid City offers a median electrical engineer salary of $94,149, which is $2,092 above the South Dakota state average of $92,057. Compared to the national median of $104,610, 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 electrical engineers in Rapid City spans from $59,400 at the 10th percentile to $145,800 at the 90th percentile — a $86,400 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $61,200, while senior electrical engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $139,500. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level electrical engineer earns around $61,200, while experienced professionals earn up to $139,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)

$61,200

$-6,800 vs national

Mid Level (3-7 yrs)

$95,400

$-10,600 vs national

Senior Level (8+ yrs)

$139,500

$-15,500 vs national

Percentile	Rapid City	SD State	National
10th Percentile	$59,400	$58,080	$66,000
25th Percentile	$74,700	$73,040	$83,000
Median (50th)	$94,149	$92,057	$104,610
75th Percentile	$118,800	$116,160	$132,000
90th Percentile	$145,800	$142,560	$162,000

Percentile

Rapid City

10th Percentile

$59,400

25th Percentile

$74,700

Median (50th)

$94,149

75th Percentile

$118,800

90th Percentile

$145,800

How to Become a Electrical Engineer in Rapid City

Education

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

Key Skills

Circuit DesignMATLABPCB DesignPower SystemsControl SystemsEmbedded Systems

Job Outlook

Nationally, electrical engineer employment is projected to grow 5% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Frequently Asked Questions: Electrical Engineer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Electrical Engineer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼

The median electrical engineer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $94,149 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $104,610. Salaries range from $59,400 (10th percentile) to $145,800 (90th percentile).

How much does a Electrical Engineer make per hour in Rapid City? ▼

Based on the median annual salary of $94,149, a electrical engineer in Rapid City earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.

How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for electrical engineer pay? ▼

Rapid City's median electrical engineer salary of $94,149 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $92,057. 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 electrical engineer salary of $94,149 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.

What qualifications do I need to become a electrical engineer in Rapid City? ▼

Most electrical engineer positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Circuit Design, MATLAB, PCB Design, Power Systems. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.

Electrical Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota