Technology Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

QA Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median qa engineer salary in Rapid City, SD is $76,500 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.4% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$76,500
vs State Avg
+$1,800
vs National
$-13,500
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rapid City offers a median qa engineer salary of $76,500, which is $1,800 above the South Dakota state average of $74,700. Compared to the national median of $90,000, 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 qa engineers in Rapid City spans from $46,750 at the 10th percentile to $120,700 at the 90th percentile — a $73,950 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $49,300, while senior qa engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $114,750. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

QA Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level qa engineer earns around $49,300, while experienced professionals earn up to $114,750 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$49,300
$-8,700 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$78,200
$-13,800 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$114,750
$-20,250 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $46,750
25th Percentile $61,200
Median (50th) $76,500
75th Percentile $100,300
90th Percentile $120,700

QA Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$78,300
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$72,900
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$71,100
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$69,300
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a QA Engineer in Rapid City

Education

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

Key Skills

Test AutomationSeleniumJIRASQLAPI TestingAgile

Job Outlook

Nationally, qa engineer employment is projected to grow 15% over the next decade (much faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find QA Engineer Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open qa engineer positions in Rapid City, SD:

Indeed → LinkedIn → ZipRecruiter → Glassdoor →

Frequently Asked Questions: QA Engineer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a QA Engineer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median qa engineer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $76,500 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $90,000. Salaries range from $46,750 (10th percentile) to $120,700 (90th percentile).
How much does a QA Engineer make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $76,500, a qa engineer in Rapid City earns approximately $37 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for qa engineer pay? ▼
Rapid City's median qa engineer salary of $76,500 is 2.4% above the South Dakota state average of $74,700. 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 qa engineer salary of $76,500 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a qa engineer in Rapid City? ▼
Most qa engineer positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Test Automation, Selenium, JIRA, SQL. The job market is projected to grow 15% nationally over the next decade.