Civil Engineer Salary in Mitchell, SD: $91,424 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Mitchell, SD earns a median $91,424/year (≈ $43.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Mitchell's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $98,517 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Civil engineers in Mitchell, South Dakota, can expect a median annual salary of $91,424 in 2026, reflecting the positive impact of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law spending on local hiring practices. The salary range varies widely from $64,255 at the lower end (P10) to $138,117 for those at the high end (P90), showcasing the diverse opportunities available within the profession. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicate that civil engineer pay in Mitchell lags behind the national median of $103,492 by about 11.66%. Nonetheless, the commitment to infrastructure improvements in the area creates a steady demand for qualified civil engineers, which benefits the job market immensely.
About the Mitchell Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $64,255 | $30.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $72,901 | $35.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,424 | $43.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,773 | $54.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $138,117 | $66.40 |
Median Salary Position
11.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mitchell
In Mitchell, SD, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $73,862 (2026 est.). At $91,424, the local median is 11.66% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mitchell: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mitchell Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Mitchell median: $91,424/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mitchell Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $96,033 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.66% less |
Civil Engineers in Mitchell, SD earn a median of $91,424 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.66% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.80% below the South Dakota state average of $96,033.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mitchell has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mitchell, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $91,424 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,517 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,908
2025 BLS Actual
$89,081
2026 Current Est.
$91,424
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Mitchell (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,908 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,242 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,782 | Actual |
| 2022 | $79,452 | Actual |
| 2023 | $84,708 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,437 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,081 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,424 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $93,828 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mitchell metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $76,908 (2019) to $89,081 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $93,828 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,920 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mitchell metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.63% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $64,255 – $72,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $72,901 – $91,424 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,424 – $113,773 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,773 – $138,117 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Mitchell
In the local job market, a total of six civil engineers are currently employed in Mitchell, which may result in competition for available positions among candidates. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, living expenses in Mitchell are slightly lower than the national average, enhancing take-home pay for professionals in this field. Among the employers, firms like AECOM and Jacobs tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for roles that require a Professional Engineer (PE) license. The pay disparity is influenced by various factors, including specialization, type of employment (government vs. private sector), and project management versus technical careers. To maximize civil engineer salary in Mitchell, aspiring professionals should consider obtaining relevant certifications, like the PE license, and seek roles in high-paying firms, especially in light of the ongoing infrastructure spending, which is likely to continue stimulating the job market.
More salary data for Mitchell, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Chen, P.E.
Career Analyst
Jordan Chen has 10 years of experience in structural engineering. He works primarily in urban infrastructure projects.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $89,081 for civil engineersin the Mitchell metropolitan area. A 2.63% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mitchell is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.63%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for civil engineers (SOC 17-2051).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Chen, P.E., a licensed civil engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov