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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mechanical Test Engineer in South Dakota is $82,265 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $40.
However, a Mechanical Test Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mechanical Test Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $89,127 | $7,427 | $1,714 | $43 |
| Average | $82,265 | $6,855 | $1,582 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,986 | $5,999 | $1,384 | $35 |
DwyerOmega - Sioux Falls, SD
DARCEO Inc - Rapid City, SD
FIBERTEK, INC. - OAK HILL, VA
Trane Technologies - WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN
A Mechanical Test 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 and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mechanical Test 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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $73,152 |
| Mechanica... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $82,979 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $103,728 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $126,654 |
| Product D... Level Mechanical Test Engineer | $148,373 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Mechanical Test Engineers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
For Mechanical Test Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 80% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Hospitality & Leisure and Construction sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 40% above the average. In contrast, Mechanical Test Engineer positions in Insurance or Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Mechanical Test Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hospitality & Leisure | $115,171 | $55.0 | 40% |
| Construction | $106,944 | $51.0 | 30% |
| Internet | $102,831 | $49.0 | 25% |
| Aerospace & Defense | $98,718 | $47.0 | 20% |
| MFG Durable | $94,604 | $45.0 | 15% |
Understanding how a Mechanical Test 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $89,127 | $7,427 | $1,714 | $43 |
| Average | $82,265 | $6,855 | $1,582 | $40 |
| 25th Percentile | $71,986 | $5,999 | $1,384 | $35 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mechanical Test Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Trane Technologies
WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN
Trane Technologies | WHITE BEAR LAKE, MN
Be a part of our mission. As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, ... more
13 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
KNIGHTVILLE, MA
L3Harris Technologies | KNIGHTVILLE, MA
The purpose of the Integration and Test engineer position is to synthesize and define test processes for complex electro-optical and electro-mechanical sys... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
MERRITT ISLAND, FL
L3Harris Technologies | MERRITT ISLAND, FL
L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Specialist, Integration & Test Engineer to support the development, assembly, integration, verification, and test automa... more
8 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
MALABAR, FL
L3Harris Technologies | MALABAR, FL
L3Harris Technologies is seeking a Specialist, Integration & Test Engineer to support the development, assembly, integration, verification, and test automa... more
9 Days Ago
L3Harris Technologies
DICKERSON, MD
L3Harris Technologies | DICKERSON, MD
This Integration and Test Engineer will be part of our training team that provides technical training for a complex communications system. This Integration... more
9 Days Ago
Constellation Energy
ZIONSVILLE, PA
Constellation Energy | ZIONSVILLE, PA
Constellation, a forward-thinking energy company serving a multitude of clients across the U.S., is seeking a proficient Mechanical Engineer to join our dy... more
7 Days Ago
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