Nuclear Engineers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$85,370
- 25th Percentile — Junior$103,349
- 50th Percentile — Median$116,554
- 75th Percentile — Senior$143,803
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$157,110
Half of Nuclear Engineers in South Dakota earn more than $116,554. The top 10% make $157,110 or more, while entry-level workers start around $85,370.
Nuclear Engineers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- South Dakota ranks 43rd of 51 states for Nuclear Engineers pay, at $122,165 per year (13.0% below the U.S. average of $140,420).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $85,370; the top 10% earn over $157,110.
- Hourly equivalent: $58.73 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $217,651.
- Among engineering jobs in South Dakota, Petroleum Engineers pays the most ($136,720).
Nuclear Engineers Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Nuclear Engineers here earn $122,165 on average, placing the state 43rd nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $122,165 is roughly equivalent to $140,420 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Ohio ($123,570), Tennessee ($123,570), Maine ($123,290) are the closest alternatives for Nuclear Engineers weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Engineering Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Petroleum Engineers $136,720/yr South Dakota +11.9% vs this role
- Aerospace Engineers $123,592/yr South Dakota +1.2% vs this role
- Engineers All Other $115,630/yr South Dakota 5.3% vs this role
- Chemical Engineers $113,083/yr South Dakota 7.4% vs this role
- Computer Hardware Engineers $110,880/yr South Dakota 9.2% vs this role
- Marine Engineers and Naval Architects $108,037/yr South Dakota 11.6% vs this role
- Architects $105,360/yr South Dakota 13.8% vs this role
- Materials Engineers $104,618/yr South Dakota 14.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Nuclear Engineers salary in South Dakota?
The average Nuclear Engineers salary in South Dakota is $122,165 per year (median $116,554), which is 13.0% below the national average of $140,420.
How does South Dakota rank for Nuclear Engineers pay?
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($217,651/yr).
How much do entry-level Nuclear Engineers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Nuclear Engineers in South Dakota earn about $85,370 per year and the 25th percentile is $103,349.
How much do Nuclear Engineers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $58.73 per hour, based on the $122,165 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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