Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
What does a Mechanical Drafters salary really buy you in South Dakota?
South Dakota is 12.0% cheaper than the US averageData: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19
South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.0, meaning prices are 12.0% lower the national average. A Mechanical Drafters earning $52,610 in South Dakota has the equivalent purchasing power of $59,784 in an average-cost US state.
Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living.
| Percentile | Nominal Salary | COL-Adjusted | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $41,760 | $47,454 | +$5,694 |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $47,860 | $54,386 | +$6,526 |
| Median (P50) | $52,610 | $59,784 | +$7,174 |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $65,190 | $74,079 | +$8,889 |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $68,620 | $77,977 | +$9,357 |
A Mechanical Drafters in South Dakota earns $52,610 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $59,784 in an average-cost state. This makes South Dakota one of the best value states for this occupation.
South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 12.0% less than the national average. For a Mechanical Drafters, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.
Adjusting $52,610 for South Dakota's cost of living yields $59,784 — a 13.6% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.
South Dakota ranks #45 of 47 — bottom quartile for Mechanical Drafters real purchasing power. Relocation, employer negotiation, or remote roles at higher-paying markets tend to generate the biggest ROI.
Where does Mechanical Drafters salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.
South Dakota ranks #45 out of 47 states for Mechanical Drafters after cost-of-living adjustment.
How much do you actually take home? See Mechanical Drafters take-home pay in South Dakota after taxes →
A Mechanical Drafters in South Dakota earns a median salary of $52,610 per year. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (RPP=88.0), the real purchasing power is $59,784 — a +13.6% difference.
South Dakota's cost of living is 12.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Dakota is 88.0 (US average = 100).
Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.
The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Mechanical Drafters in South Dakota: $52,610 x (100 / 88.0) = $59,784. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.
From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Mechanical Drafters in South Dakota enjoys 13.6% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.
Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.