SOC 43-5011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Cargo and Freight Agents — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Cargo and Freight Agents in South Dakota is $64,340 per year, 23.1% above the national median of $52,260.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Cargo and Freight Agents in South Dakota is $64,340 per year, 23.1% above the national median of $52,260. Half of workers earn between $60,390 and $68,830. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $49,730 and the ninetieth at $80,160.
Employment stands at 200, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. South Dakota ranks number 3rd out of 48 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Rapid City records the highest median at $65,440. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 189th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,730 | −4.8% |
| 25th | $60,390 | +15.6% |
| Median (50th) | $64,340 | +23.1% |
| 75th | $68,830 | +31.7% |
| 90th | $80,160 | +53.4% |
| Mean | $65,000 | +24.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $65,440 | 30 | |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $62,950 | 100 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $64,340 goes as far as $72,619 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 39.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,340as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,619US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,340 a year, 23.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $49,730 to $80,160 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 200 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 3rd of 48 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $65,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Cargo and Freight Agents in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $64,340, or $30.94 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 $52,260, so pay in South Dakota is 23.1% 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 $80,160 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $49,730 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 Rapid City, at $65,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 200 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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