SOC 53-3052 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity — South Dakota
South Dakota · 1 metro areas compared
At $41,590, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, 29.6% beneath the national figure of $59,050.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $41,590, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity, 29.6% beneath the national figure of $59,050. Pay ranges from under $29,670 at the tenth percentile to more than $48,430 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $37,960 to $46,170.
The area has 410 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.88 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. South Dakota ranks number 46th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Sioux Falls records the highest median at $45,450. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 452nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,670 | −49.8% |
| 25th | $37,960 | −35.7% |
| Median (50th) | $41,590 | −29.6% |
| 75th | $46,170 | −21.8% |
| 90th | $48,430 | −18.0% |
| Mean | $41,720 | −29.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $45,450 | 130 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $41,590 goes as far as $46,941 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$41,590as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$46,941US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $41,590 a year, 29.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $29,670 to $48,430 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 410 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 46th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $45,450.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $41,590, or $19.99 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 $59,050, so pay in South Dakota is 29.6% 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 $48,430 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $29,670 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 $45,450 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 410 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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