As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Chief Engineer in South Dakota is $269,038, equivalent to $129 per hour, $5,174 weekly, or $22,420 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Chief Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Chief Engineer in South Dakota vary widely, spanning from $220,164 to $300,887. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($243,456) and 75th percentile ($285,709), while top earners (90th percentile) make $300,887 per year. This $42,253 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Leadership or Housekeeping, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, South Dakota Chief Engineer often earn 9.1% lower than national averages due to demand from Fortune 73 companies. However, South Dakota currently ranks 48 nationwide for Chief Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
