SOC 39-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Animal Caretakers — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in South Dakota is $30,390 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 14.1%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in South Dakota is $30,390 a year, trailing the national median of $35,360 by 14.1%. Half of workers earn between $28,710 and $35,370. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $27,260 and the ninetieth at $44,960.
The area has 1,110 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.42 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, South Dakota ranks 36th by median wage. Sioux Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $34,300. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 544th of 563 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $27,260 | −22.9% |
| 25th | $28,710 | −18.8% |
| Median (50th) | $30,390 | −14.1% |
| 75th | $35,370 | +0.0% |
| 90th | $44,960 | +27.1% |
| Mean | $33,700 | −4.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $34,300 | 420 | |
| 2 | Rapid City | $32,090 | 270 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $30,390 goes as far as $34,300 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$30,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$34,300US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $30,390 a year, 14.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $27,260 to $44,960 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,110 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 36th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $34,300.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Animal Caretakers in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $30,390, or $14.61 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 $35,360, so pay in South Dakota is 14.1% lower. 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 $44,960 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $27,260 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 $34,300 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,110 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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