Computer Engineering Degree Programs in Sioux Falls, SD (2026)
Quick answer: The Sioux Falls metro employs about 110 computer hardware engineers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state engineering licensing board.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Computer engineering is not a licensed occupation for most hardware work, so no board gates entry. The credential that matters is an ABET-accredited bachelor’s, from the Engineering Accreditation Commission. Professional Engineer licensure exists and a minority pursue it, but hardware and embedded work is largely exempt because it does not produce stamped drawings.
See the South Dakota licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state engineering licensing board.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Computer Hardware Engineers Earn in Sioux Falls
Computer Hardware Engineers in the Sioux Falls area earn a median $99,720 per year, below the national median of $161,740 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Computer Engineering Pay in Sioux Falls, SD
| Metric | Sioux Falls metro | South Dakota | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $99,720 | $101,400 | $161,740 |
| 10th percentile | $78,040 | $78,040 | $92,940 |
| 25th percentile | $78,040 | $83,340 | $126,090 |
| 75th percentile | $122,260 | $131,210 | $202,990 |
| 90th percentile | $132,280 | $150,110 | $225,330 |
| Employment | 110 | 160 | 76,660 |
| Location quotient | 1.25 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Sioux Falls median of $99,720 is below the national median of $161,740, and below the South Dakota statewide median of $101,400 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.25 means computer hardware engineers are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Computer hardware work concentrates around semiconductor fabs, defense and federal laboratory sites, and the large technology employers, so local employment is far more uneven than in the building trades
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do computer hardware engineers make in Sioux Falls?
The median annual wage for computer hardware engineers in the Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area is $99,720, below the national median of $161,740 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many computer hardware engineers work in the Sioux Falls area?
The Sioux Falls, SD-MN metro area employs about 110 computer hardware engineers (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do computer hardware engineers in Sioux Falls need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Computer engineering is not a licensed occupation for most hardware work, so no board gates entry. The credential that matters is an ABET-accredited bachelor's, from the Engineering Accreditation Commission. Professional Engineer licensure exists and a minority pursue it, but hardware and embedded work is largely exempt because it does not produce stamped drawings. Confirm current requirements with your state engineering licensing board.
Can I study computer engineering online from Sioux Falls?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state engineering licensing board.
Is Sioux Falls a better market than the rest of South Dakota?
The Sioux Falls metro median is $99,720 against a statewide median of $101,400 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Computer Engineering degree programs in South Dakota - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Computer Engineering programs and how to choose one
- Computer Hardware Engineer career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Computer Hardware Engineers (SOC 17-2061), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.