Technology Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Robotics Engineer Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median robotics engineer salary in Rapid City, SD is $85,170 per year, which is 15% below the national median and 2.4% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$85,170
vs State Avg
+$2,004
vs National
$-15,030
Cost of Living
90%

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

Rapid City offers a median robotics engineer salary of $85,170, which is $2,004 above the South Dakota state average of $83,166. Compared to the national median of $100,200, 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 robotics engineers in Rapid City spans from $52,700 at the 10th percentile to $140,250 at the 90th percentile — a $87,550 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,250, while senior robotics engineers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $134,300. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Robotics Engineer Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level robotics engineer earns around $55,250, while experienced professionals earn up to $134,300 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,250
$-9,750 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$86,700
$-15,300 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$134,300
$-23,700 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $52,700
25th Percentile $68,000
Median (50th) $85,170
75th Percentile $112,200
90th Percentile $140,250

Robotics Engineer Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

Sioux Falls, SD
$87,174
Pop. 192,517
Brookings, SD
$81,162
Pop. 24,194
Aberdeen, SD
$79,158
Pop. 28,324
Mitchell, SD
$77,154
Pop. 15,660

How to Become a Robotics Engineer in Rapid City

Education

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

Key Skills

ROSC++/PythonControl SystemsCADSensors/ActuatorsMachine Learning

Job Outlook

Nationally, robotics engineer employment is projected to grow 9% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Robotics Engineer Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open robotics engineer positions in Rapid City, SD:

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Frequently Asked Questions: Robotics Engineer Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Robotics Engineer make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median robotics engineer salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $85,170 per year, which is 15% below the national median of $100,200. Salaries range from $52,700 (10th percentile) to $140,250 (90th percentile).
How much does a Robotics Engineer make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $85,170, a robotics engineer in Rapid City earns approximately $41 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for robotics engineer pay? ▼
Rapid City's median robotics engineer salary of $85,170 is 2.4% above the South Dakota state average of $83,166. 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 robotics engineer salary of $85,170 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a robotics engineer in Rapid City? ▼
Most robotics engineer positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include ROS, C++/Python, Control Systems, CAD. The job market is projected to grow 9% nationally over the next decade.