Technology Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Network Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median network engineer salary in Rapid City, SD is $78,200 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.4% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$78,200
vs State Avg
+$1,840
vs National
$-13,800
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rapid City offers a median network engineer salary of $78,200, which is $1,840 above the South Dakota state average of $76,360. Compared to the national median of $92,000, 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 network engineers in Rapid City spans from $47,600 at the 10th percentile to $123,250 at the 90th percentile — a $75,650 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $51,000, while senior network engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $117,300. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Network Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level network engineer earns around $51,000, while experienced professionals earn up to $117,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$51,000
$-9,000 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$79,900
$-14,100 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$117,300
$-20,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $47,600
25th Percentile $62,900
Median (50th) $78,200
75th Percentile $100,300
90th Percentile $123,250

Network Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$80,040
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$74,520
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$72,680
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$70,840
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Network Engineer in Rapid City

Education

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

Key Skills

CiscoTCP/IPFirewallsVPNNetwork MonitoringCCNA/CCNP

Job Outlook

Nationally, network 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.

Find Network Engineer Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open network engineer positions in Rapid City, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Network Engineer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Network Engineer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median network engineer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $78,200 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $92,000. Salaries range from $47,600 (10th percentile) to $123,250 (90th percentile).
How much does a Network Engineer make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $78,200, a network engineer in Rapid City earns approximately $38 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for network engineer pay? ▼
Rapid City's median network engineer salary of $78,200 is 2.4% above the South Dakota state average of $76,360. 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 network engineer salary of $78,200 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a network engineer in Rapid City? ▼
Most network engineer positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Cisco, TCP/IP, Firewalls, VPN. The job market is projected to grow 5% nationally over the next decade.