Civil Engineer Salary in Spearfish, SD: $92,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time civil engineer in Spearfish, SD earns a median $92,088/year (≈ $44.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 17-2051). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $99,233 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the civil engineer salary in Spearfish is projected to reach a median of $92,088, a figure that reflects the area's specific economic conditions and cost of living adjustments. Local estimates draw from BLS state-level data, indicating a salary range from $63,016 at the 10th percentile to $137,237 at the 90th percentile. Although Spearfish's salaries are lower on average than the national median of $103,492, opportunities for civil engineers may still align with career progression and licensure achievements, particularly as professionals transition from the Engineer in Training (EIT) to a licensed Professional Engineer (PE). The presence of few professionals—only five civil engineers currently employed in Spearfish—suggests a niche market that may experience distinct fluctuations and opportunities in the future.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $63,016 | $30.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $77,889 | $37.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $92,088 | $44.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $113,433 | $54.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $137,237 | $65.98 |
Median Salary Position
11.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the civil engineer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,221 (2026 est.). At $92,088, the local median is 11.02% below the national median of $103,492.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Spearfish Civil Engineer Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $92,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $96,025 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $103,492 | -11.02% less |
Civil Engineers in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $92,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $103,492 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $96,025.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A civil engineer earning $92,088 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $99,233 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,466
2025 BLS Actual
$89,728
2026 Current Est.
$92,088
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Civil Engineers in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.63% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,466 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,347 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,029 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,323 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,964 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,728 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $92,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,510 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median civil engineer salary grew 15.8% from $77,466 (2019) to $89,728 (2025). At a 2.63% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,510 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,044 (22.00%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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) | $63,016 – $77,889 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $77,889 – $92,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $92,088 – $113,433 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $113,433 – $137,237 |
CE, PE salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual civil engineer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Civil Engineer Job Market in Spearfish
As civil engineers consider their prospects in Spearfish, the relatively low cost of living, with an index of 92.8, plays a significant role in shaping their overall compensation potential. Given the specialized skills required in this profession, those seeking higher pay may find the top engineering consulting firms, such as AECOM and Jacobs, to be promising employers, while state and federal agencies also hire engineers for public infrastructure projects. The pay variance in Spearfish largely results from differences in experience levels, educational credentials—especially PE licensure—and the types of projects engineers are involved with. For individuals looking to maximize their pay, positioning themselves within infrastructure spending initiatives, particularly those influenced by Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding, can lead to more lucrative opportunities. Networking within local firms, pursuing licensure, and focusing on specialty areas can also enhance earning potential in this developing job market.
More salary data for Spearfish, 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 $89,728 for civil engineersin the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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