SOC 45-2091 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Agricultural Equipment Operators — South Dakota
South Dakota · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in South Dakota is $48,060 per year, 15.2% above the national median of $41,730.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in South Dakota is $48,060 per year, 15.2% above the national median of $41,730. Pay ranges from under $38,480 at the tenth percentile to more than $53,250 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $43,880 to $49,120.
Employment stands at 240, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 40 states with published data for this occupation, South Dakota ranks 8th by median wage. Sioux Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,970. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 357th of 563 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,480 | −7.8% |
| 25th | $43,880 | +5.2% |
| Median (50th) | $48,060 | +15.2% |
| 75th | $49,120 | +17.7% |
| 90th | $53,250 | +27.6% |
| Mean | $47,470 | +13.8% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $46,970 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $48,060 goes as far as $54,244 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 30.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,060as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$54,244US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,060 a year, 15.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,480 to $53,250 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 240 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 8th of 40 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $46,970.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Agricultural Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $48,060, or $23.11 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $41,730, so pay in South Dakota is 15.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Dakota earns more than $53,250 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,480 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sioux Falls, at $46,970 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 240 jobs in this occupation in South Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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