Entry-Level Electrical Engineer Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $62,978 (2026)
Quick Answer:New electrical engineers entering the Sioux Falls, SD job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $62,978 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 17-2071, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Sioux Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 90.6 — 9% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,488 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($102,593) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
Sioux Falls presents a favorable opportunity for new graduates entering the field of electrical engineering, with an entry-level salary around $62,978 per year in 2026. This figure is noticeably below the city's median annual salary for electrical engineers of $102,593, illustrating the typical gap between starting pay and more experienced roles. However, early-career professionals can expect to see their salaries grow from the P10 level to approximately $94,425 at the P25 level within just a few years. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.65%, the labor market in Sioux Falls appears to be supportive of new graduates, making it a viable option for those entering the workforce in SD.
Career Earnings Timeline in Sioux Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
Entry-level electrical engineers in Sioux Falls, SD typically start between $62,978 and $94,425 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $73,902 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $102,593 — 17.95% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average electrical engineering program cost in South Dakota of $45,000 represents just 71.45% of the starting electrical engineer pay ($62,978/year) in Sioux Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates cover ABET-accredited undergraduate electrical engineering programs at public and private universities. Many electrical engineers pursue master's degrees or specialization in power, controls, or electronics.
EE Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Sioux Falls
- 1Research the Sioux Falls market: entry-level electrical engineer pay ranges from $62,978 to $94,425, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the electrical engineering field — employers in SD often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Sioux Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Sioux Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Sioux Falls's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Electrical Engineer Compensation Range
The electrical engineer wage spread in Sioux Falls is $73,902 ( 117.35%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $62,978, experienced hygienists can earn up to $136,880.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,000
2025 BLS Actual
$60,760
2026 Current Est.
$62,978
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Salary Trajectory for Electrical Engineers in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.65% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,590 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,570 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,760 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,978 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,276 | Projected |
Entry-level electrical engineer compensation (10th percentile) in Sioux Falls, SD grew 8.5% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $56,000 in 2019 to $60,760 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $65,276. New graduates entering the Sioux Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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 3.65% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your electrical engineering Career in Sioux Falls
When it comes to securing a job, several employers in Sioux Falls actively recruit entry-level electrical engineers. Semiconductor companies like Apple, Nvidia, AMD, and Intel often seek highly qualified candidates, typically at the master’s or PhD level, but they can still provide useful insights for new graduates looking to enter this competitive space. Defense contractors such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman tend to hire through established internship programs, especially valuing candidates with security clearance. For those seeking stability, utility companies in the area hire electrical engineers to participate in structured training programs, while consulting firms generally prefer individuals with significant experience or licenses. Graduates with a Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program and an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification will have a definitive advantage, setting the stage for career growth potential in various sectors with starting electrical engineer salaries that will improve over the first few years of their career in Sioux Falls.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Amina Patel, MEng, PE
Career Analyst
Amina has over 10 years of experience in power systems engineering. She works at a utility company specializing in renewable energy integration.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level 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 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new electrical engineering graduates. A 3.65% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Sioux Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.65%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for electrical engineers (SOC 17-2071).
Compiled and verified by Amina Patel, MEng, PE, a licensed electrical engineer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov