Lead Systems Engineer Salary in Yankton, SD

How much does a Lead Systems Engineer make in Yankton, SD?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Lead Systems Engineer in Yankton, SD is $149,429 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $72.

However, a Lead Systems Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $163,140
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $138,074 to $156,606
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $127,736
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI-Powered Talent
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $138,074 10% $127,736 90% $163,140 75% $156,606 $149,429 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Lead Systems Engineer Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $156,606 $13,051 $3,012 $75
Average $149,429 $12,452 $2,874 $72
25th Percentile $138,074 $11,506 $2,655 $66
Check out Lead Systems Engineer Job Openings in Yankton, SD
Service Support

Titan Machinery - Yankton, SD

Crisis Care Nurse

Lewis & Clark Behavioral Health - Yankton, SD

Proshop Attendant

GreatLIFE Golf & Fitness Club - Yankton, SD

Fulfillment Specialist

Fastenal - Yankton, SD

Search More Lead Systems Engineer Jobs in Yankton, SD

Key Factors That Influence Lead Systems Engineer Salaries

A Lead Systems Engineer's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, skills and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Lead Systems Engineer Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Lead Systems Engineer's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $106,172
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $129,958
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $148,901
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $125,468
  • Expert (over 8 years): $135,931
Levels Salary
Software ... Level Lead Systems Engineer$106,172
Software ... Level Lead Systems Engineer$129,958
Lead Syst... Level Lead Systems Engineer$148,901
Software ... Level Lead Systems Engineer$125,468
Software ... Level Lead Systems Engineer$135,931
$106,172 0 yr
$129,958 < 2 yrs
$148,901 2-4 yrs
$125,468 5-8 yrs
$135,931 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Lead Systems Engineers

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $203,993
  • San Francisco: $201,759
  • Oakland: $197,507

What Skills Can Increase a Lead Systems Engineer's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Analysis (Mentioned in 8.47% Job Postings): Analysis is the process of considering something carefully or using statistical methods in order to understand it or explain it.
  • Python (Mentioned in 2.2% Job Postings): Applying the concepts and algorithms of Python to design, develop and maintain software applications to comply with business requirements.
  • System Design (Mentioned in 1.86% Job Postings): Systems design is the process of defining elements of a system like modules, architecture, components and their interfaces and data for a system based on the specified requirements.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Analysis 8.47%
Python 2.2%
System Design 1.86%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Lead Systems Engineer's salary.
  • Kubernetes: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 5%.
  • Troubleshooting: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Kubernetes
$158,395
6%
Commitment
$156,900
5%
Troubleshooting
$153,912
3%
DevOps
$153,912
3%
Integrity
$153,912
3%
Presentation
$153,912
3%
Get Latest Data

Lead Systems Engineer Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Lead Systems Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 55% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Biotechnology and Internet sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Lead Systems Engineer positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Lead Systems Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Lead Systems Engineer

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Biotechnology$186,786$90.025%
Internet$179,315$86.020%
Software & Networking$179,315$86.020%
Pharmaceuticals$171,843$83.015%
Telecom$167,361$80.012%

Lead Systems Engineer Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Lead Systems Engineer's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Find Your Next Lead Systems Engineer Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Lead Systems Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Per Mar Security Services

    Yankton, SD

    Per Mar Security Services | Yankton, SD

    Gate Attendant - $18.50 - $19.50 Per Mar Security is looking for qualified candidates for gate Security Officers in a home improvement store setting.The be... more

    2 Days Ago

  • Hydro Extrusion USA, LLC

    Yankton, SD

    Hydro Extrusion USA, LLC | Yankton, SD

    What you will be doing Perform preventive maintenance on press lines, casting equipment, packing systems, and paint systems.Troubleshoot and repair hydraul... more

    6 Days Ago

  • AT&amp;T Prime Communications

    Yankton, SD

    AT&amp;T Prime Communications | Yankton, SD

    Job Overview Join our dynamic retail team as a Retail Sales Associate, where your enthusiasm and customer-focused mindset will drive the success of our sto... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Solutions by Sanford

    Yankton, SD

    Solutions by Sanford | Yankton, SD

    Create Your Career With Us. You're making a difference as a health care professional. Touch even more lives across the country &OpenCurlyDoubleQuote. espec... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Wabtec

    Yankton, SD

    Wabtec | Yankton, SD

    Company DescriptionJob DescriptionWho will you be working with. L&M Radiator, Inc. is a global designer, manufacturer, and distributor or MESABI cooling an... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CHS Inc

    Yankton, SD

    CHS Inc | Yankton, SD

    CHS Inc. is a leading global agribusiness owned by farmers, ranchers and cooperatives across the United States that provides grain, food and energy resourc... more

    6 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

Cost of Living In Yankton, SD

Cost of Living in Yankton, SD is
-3.1% Lower
than the National Average

Use Salary.com's Cost of Living Calculator to find out what income you need to maintain your standard of living in a different city and how much more or less money you need to budget for basic expenses.

Explore Cost of Living Calculator
Empower Your Team

Salary.com experts will help you thrive your workplaces.

Find Salary.com Comp Consulting
See Salary Trends in 2025

Salary.com provides salary survey data for thousands of industry Jobs.

Price Your Company Jobs and Make Pay Fair

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons are derived from both employer job postings and third-party data sources. We also provide multiple percentiles of salary information for your reference, click here to know Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial to Getting Pay Equity Right. With more online, real-time compensation data than any other website, Salary.com helps you determine your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst