Rapid City Hourly Wage & Salary 2026
Rapid City, SD: $25.00/hr median hourly wage, $52,000 median annual salary, cost of living index 90, and $11.50/hr minimum wage. Calculate take-home pay with federal and South Dakota taxes.
Rapid City Hourly Wage Quick Answer
The median hourly wage in Rapid City, SD is $25.00/hr, equivalent to $52,000 per year at 2,080 work hours. Entry-level pay estimates around $15.50/hr, senior-level pay estimates around $35.50/hr, and the local minimum wage is $11.50/hr.
Median Salary
$52,000
$25.00/hr
Cost of Living
90
US avg = 100
Minimum Wage
$11.50
per hour
Unemployment
2.2%
rate
Rapid City, SD Overview
Population
77,503
Median Salary
$52,000
Average Salary
$58,000
Avg Commute
16 min
Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Rent
$1,000/mo
Job Growth
+1.5%
Sales Tax
6.5%
Rapid City is located in South Dakota with a population of 77,503. The median household salary is $52,000 per year ($25.00/hour), which is $7,384 below the national median of $59,384. The average commute time is 16 minutes, and the city has a job growth rate of +1.5%.
Rapid City Salary by Experience Level (2026)
Wage distribution in Rapid City, SD based on BLS percentile breakdown of the $52,000 median salary. Entry-level represents 10th–25th percentile; mid-level is the median; senior-level represents 75th–90th percentile.
| Experience Level | Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | Years Exp |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | $32,240 | $15.50/hr | 0–2 years |
| Mid-Level (Median) | $52,000 | $25.00/hr | 3–7 years |
| Senior-Level | $73,840 | $35.50/hr | 8–15 years |
| Top 10% (90th Percentile) | $92,560 | $44.50/hr | 15+ years / leadership |
Percentile multipliers (62%, 100%, 142%, 178%) derived from 2024 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics distribution across all occupations in metro areas. Specific roles vary; see jobs by city for role-specific data.
Rapid City Paycheck Calculator
Enter your annual salary to see your estimated take-home pay in Rapid City, SD, after federal, state, and local taxes.
Estimated Annual Take-Home Pay
$43,962
$3,663.50/month · $1,690.85/biweekly · Effective Rate: 15.5%
Biweekly paycheck estimate: this salary equals about $1,690.85 take-home per paycheck after estimated South Dakota and federal taxes. For the 26-paycheck formula, three-paycheck months, and withholding examples, see the Biweekly Paycheck Calculator.
Gross Pay
$52,000
Federal Tax
-$4,060
State Tax
$0
Local Tax
$0
FICA
-$3,978
Net Pay
$43,962
Pay Breakdown
| Item | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary | $4,333.33 | $52,000.00 |
| Federal Income Tax | -$338.33 | -$4,060.00 |
| South Dakota State Tax (0%) | $0.00 | $0.00 |
| Social Security (6.2%) | -$268.67 | -$3,224.00 |
| Medicare (1.45%) | -$62.83 | -$754.00 |
| Net Take-Home Pay | $3,663.50 | $43,962.00 |
Salary Comparison: Rapid City vs Other Cities
See how Rapid City's median salary and cost of living compare to the national average and similar cities.
| City | Median Salary | COL Index | Adj. Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $52,000 | 90 | $57,778 |
| National Average | $59,384 | 100 | $59,384 |
| Auburn, AL | $52,000 | 90 | $57,778 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $52,000 | 96 | $54,167 |
| Fontana, CA | $52,000 | 102 | $50,980 |
| Oxnard, CA | $52,000 | 118 | $44,068 |
Adjusted salary reflects purchasing power when cost of living is factored in. A higher adjusted salary means your money goes further.
Cost of Living in Rapid City
Rapid City's cost of living index is 90 (national average = 100). Living in Rapid City is 10% less expensive than the national average.
Median Home Price
$270,000
Median Monthly Rent
$1,000
Annual Rent Cost
$12,000
Your Salary's Purchasing Power
Your $43,962 annual take-home pay in Rapid City has the purchasing power of approximately $48,847 in an average-cost US area. Your $52,000 salary stretches further here than in most US cities.
Top Industries in Rapid City
Rapid City's economy is driven by these key industries. Workers in top industries often earn significantly above the median salary of $52,000.
Salary Tips for Rapid City Workers
- No state income tax advantage. South Dakota has no state income tax, which means more of your paycheck stays in your pocket. Invest the savings in a Roth IRA or 401(k) for long-term growth.
- Research top industries. Rapid City's top industries include Tourism, Healthcare, Military. Targeting roles in these sectors can help you earn above the $52,000 median salary.
- Review your W-4 withholding. If you regularly receive large tax refunds, adjust your W-4 to increase your per-paycheck take-home pay instead of giving the government an interest-free loan.
Methodology & Local Economy Data Sources
How we calculate Rapid City salary data: Our citywide compensation figures aggregate occupation-specific salary data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics for the Rapid City-SD metropolitan statistical area (MSA), weighted by local employment counts. Cost-of-living adjustments use the C2ER Cost of Living Index baseline of 100 (national average), with Rapid City indexed at 90.
- Median salary calculation: weighted average of Rapid City's occupation-specific medians from BLS OEWS, adjusted for local cost of living. Net result: $52,000 annual median.
- Tax burden reflects South Dakota state income tax (0%) (no local income tax), sales tax (6.5%), and federal taxes per IRS 2026 brackets.
- Unemployment rate for Rapid City: 2.2%, sourced from BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS).
- Top industries: Tourism, Healthcare, Military — based on QCEW employment concentration data.
- Job growth: 1.5% projected through 2034, derived from BLS Employment Projections program for South Dakota.
- Housing context: median home price $270,000, median rent $1,000/mo, sourced from Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Authoritative US data sources for Rapid City, SD:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — metropolitan area salary data
- BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics — Rapid City unemployment rate
- U.S. Census Bureau — Rapid City QuickFacts — population, housing, demographics
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) — county-level industry employment
- BLS Economy at a Glance — South Dakota — state economic indicators
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) — local GDP and personal income data
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) — regional inflation tracking
Disclaimer: Salary and cost data are estimates for general guidance. Individual compensation varies by employer, experience, education, negotiation, and skills. Rapid City's rapidly changing economy can shift these baselines — always verify with current job listings, employer offers, and recent South Dakota labor market reports for the most current figures.
Reviewed by Brazora Monk· Last updated 2026 · BLS & Census data current as of latest releases
Explore Salaries Across the US
Compare salary data and cost of living for hundreds of US cities. Find out where your paycheck goes the furthest.
Related Salary Tools
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly wage in Rapid City, SD?
The median hourly wage in Rapid City, SD is $25.00 per hour. At a standard 2,080-hour work year, that equals about $52,000 per year. Entry-level workers are estimated around $15.50/hr, while senior-level workers are estimated around $35.50/hr before overtime, bonuses, or benefits.
What is the median salary in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary in Rapid City, SD is $52,000 per year, or $25.00 per hour. The average salary is $58,000. This is $7,384 below the national median of $59,384.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD?
Rapid City's cost of living index is 90 (national average = 100), meaning it is 10% less expensive compared to the national average. The median home price is $270,000 and the median monthly rent is $1,000.
What are the best industries in Rapid City?
The top industries in Rapid City, SD include Tourism, Healthcare, Military. The city has a job growth rate of 1.5% and an unemployment rate of 2.2%. Workers in these industries often earn above the city's median salary of $52,000.
How does Rapid City's salary compare to other cities?
Rapid City's median salary of $52,000 is 12.4% below the national median of $59,384. However, when adjusted for cost of living (index: 90), the real purchasing power is approximately $57,778.
What is the minimum wage in Rapid City, SD?
The minimum wage in Rapid City, SD is $11.50 per hour. This equals approximately $23,920 per year for a full-time worker (40 hours/week). This is $4.25 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hour.