Rapid City, SD · BLS OEWS & BEA Regional Data

Auto Mechanic Salary in Rapid City, SD

In the Rapid City, SD metropolitan area, auto mechanics earned a median annual wage of $51,500 ($24.76/hour) in the BLS May 2025 OEWS survey. The 10th percentile was $38,900/year and the 90th was $81,000/year; these percentiles do not measure years of experience. Applying 2026 federal and South Dakota tax rules to the survey median leaves an estimated $43,560 in take-home pay. The metro price index is 89.2 against a national baseline of 100.

Median Annual Salary

$51,500$24.76 per hour · $4,292 monthly

10th Percentile$38,900$18.70/hr base

25th Percentile$45,100$21.68/hr base

75th Percentile$62,000$29.81/hr base

90th Percentile$81,000$38.94/hr base

Run the numbers on your own pay

Same U.S. tax tables as the rest of the site. Change the salary, state, or filing status.

Take-home payWhat $51,000 a year leaves after tax in South DakotaFederal tax, FICA and South Dakota withholding on that salary, with the other 49 states beside it.

By the hour$25 an hour is how much a yearWeekly, biweekly and monthly gross at 2,080 hours, plus time and a half.

HousingWhat a $51,000 salary buys at today's ratesPrice range, down payment and the monthly payment behind it, on current mortgage rates.

Local pricesWhat $51,000 is worth where you liveRent, groceries and the local price level against the national average.

Same stateEvery occupation South Dakota publishes a wage forThe biggest employers, the best paid, and what is distinctive about South Dakota.

Explore annual salary:$51,500

$20,000$105,000

Filing status:

Gross salary breakdown$51,500

Net 85%

Fed 8%

FICA 8%

Annual take-home$43,560After all taxes

Monthly deposit$3,630Estimated per month

Biweekly paycheck$1,675Every 2 weeks (26/yr)

Effective tax rate15.4%Total tax burden

Federal income tax$4,000 / yr

South Dakota state income taxNo state wage tax$0

FICA (Social Security & Medicare)$3,940 / yr

Customize deductions in full South Dakota calculator

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wage Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Official survey estimates from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Full-time calculations assume standard 2,080 annual working hours.

Wage Distribution for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in the Rapid City, SD Metropolitan Area
Earning Tier	Hourly Wage	Monthly Gross	Annual Gross	Est. Annual Net (SD)
10th Percentile	$18.70/hr	$3,242	$38,900	$33,436
25th Percentile	$21.68/hr	$3,758	$45,100	$38,418
Median (50th Percentile)Metro Benchmark	$24.76/hr	$4,292	$51,500	$43,560
75th Percentile	$29.81/hr	$5,167	$62,000	$51,997
90th Percentile	$38.94/hr	$6,750	$81,000	$65,814

Cost of Living & Purchasing Power in Rapid City, SD

A dollar does not buy the same basket of goods everywhere. Compare how $$51,500 measures up against local economic conditions:

Metro Median Household Income$75,255Census Bureau ACS

BEA Price Parity Index89.210.8% below national average

Individual vs Household Ratio68.4%of area median income

Explore Related Salary & Regional Profiles

Compare auto mechanics salaries statewide and examine overall earnings in South Dakota:

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Salaries Across South Dakota →Statewide wage percentiles, purchasing power and employment counts.
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics National 50-State Salary Map →Compare wages across all 50 states, rank highest-paying states, and view national employment.
South Dakota Wages by Occupation →Detailed salary distributions for over 700 occupations across South Dakota.
South Dakota Take-Home Pay Calculator →Calculate your custom paycheck after federal, FICA, and South Dakota state withholding.

Frequently Asked Questions About Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Pay in Rapid City, SD

What is the median salary for auto mechanics in Rapid City, SD?

The official BLS median annual wage for auto mechanics in Rapid City, SD is $51,500, which equates to approximately $4,292 per month or $24.76 per hour for a 2,080-hour work year.

What is the hourly pay for auto mechanics in Rapid City, SD?

The median hourly wage for auto mechanics in Rapid City, SD is $24.76 per hour based on the BLS survey. One in ten earned less than $18.70/hour and one in ten earned more than $38.94/hour.

What is the pay range for auto mechanics in Rapid City, SD?

BLS wage estimates for auto mechanics in Rapid City, SD span from $38,900 at the 10th percentile to $45,100 at the 25th, $62,000 at the 75th, and $81,000 at the 90th. These are wage distribution points, not experience levels.

How much do auto mechanics take home after taxes in Rapid City, SD?

On a median gross salary of $51,500, an estimated $43,560 lands in net take-home pay per year ($1,675 biweekly) for a single filer claiming the standard deduction in South Dakota in 2026. Total tax withholding equals $7,940 (an effective rate of 15.4%).

How much do auto mechanics make per month in Rapid City, SD?

On the median annual salary of $51,500, gross monthly income is $4,292. After federal, FICA, and South Dakota state income taxes, estimated net take-home pay is $3,630 per month (or $1,675 every two weeks).

Is $51,500 a good salary in Rapid City, SD?

At $51,500, the median salary for auto mechanics is 68.4% of the Rapid City, SD median household income ($75,255). According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), the metropolitan price parity index is 89.2, making regional consumer goods and services 10.8% cheaper than the U.S. average.