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As of September 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Software Engineer in South Dakota is $101,282 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $49.
However, a Research Software Engineer's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Research Software Engineer Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $106,094 | $8,841 | $2,040 | $51 |
| Average | $101,282 | $8,440 | $1,948 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,274 | $7,523 | $1,736 | $43 |
Relative Dynamics - Sioux Falls, SD
TradeJobsWorkForce - Arlington, SD
Omnitech, Inc. - Rapid City, SD
Anakim Consulting Inc - Sioux Falls, SD
A Research Software 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 Research Software 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 |
|---|---|
| Geologist... Level Research Software Engineer | $64,355 |
| Geologist... Level Research Software Engineer | $80,007 |
| Research ... Level Research Software Engineer | $102,047 |
| Geologist... Level Research Software Engineer | $122,512 |
| Geologist... Level Research Software Engineer | $117,475 |
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 Research Software 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 Research Software Engineer roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 20% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Business Services and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 10% above the average. In contrast, Research Software Engineer positions in Construction or Financial Services typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Research Software Engineer as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Services | $111,410 | $54.0 | 10% |
| Energy & Utilities | $106,346 | $51.0 | 5% |
Understanding how a Research Software 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 | $106,094 | $8,841 | $2,040 | $51 |
| Average | $101,282 | $8,440 | $1,948 | $49 |
| 25th Percentile | $90,274 | $7,523 | $1,736 | $43 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Software Engineer job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Anakim Consulting Inc
Sioux Falls, SD
Anakim Consulting Inc | Sioux Falls, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Software Engineer (C/Python). Sioux Falls, SD 57198. Location: On-Site. Job Description. Anakim Consulting Inc. is hiring... more
5 Days Ago
Central Payments
Sioux Falls, SD
Central Payments | Sioux Falls, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Are you passionate about building innovative, scalable software solutions that make an impact. Join Central Payments. and... more
3 Days Ago
CNH Industrial
Sioux Falls, SD
CNH Industrial | Sioux Falls, SD
CNH Industrial seeks a Senior Software Engineer to build robust, scalable software powering next-generation agricultural and construction equipment. In thi... more
3 Days Ago
Relative Dynamics
Sioux Falls, SD
Relative Dynamics | Sioux Falls, SD
Job Description. Job Description. At Relative Dynamics we value knowledge as a process rather than knowledge as an answer. Founded in 2011 our goal is to d... more
4 Days Ago
Puck Enterprises
Worthing, SD
Puck Enterprises | Worthing, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Senior Embedded Software Engineer. Puck | Built to Lead. Location. Worthing, SD. Department. Engineering. Employment Type more
5 Days Ago
Puck Enterprises
Worthing, SD
Puck Enterprises | Worthing, SD
Job Description. Job Description. Embedded Software Engineer. Puck | Built to Lead. Location. Worthing, SD. Department. Engineering. Employment Type. Full-... more
5 Days Ago
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