SOC 53-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Commercial Pilots — East South Dakota
East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay in East South Dakota, SD is $77,780 a year, 36.9% under the national median of $123,220 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in East South Dakota, SD is $77,780 a year, 36.9% under the national median of $123,220 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $58,570 and $85,890. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $53,910 and the ninetieth at $109,860.
The area has 110 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.8 of every thousand jobs. Sioux Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $112,100. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 70th of 390 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $53,910 | −56.2% |
| 25th | $58,570 | −52.5% |
| Median (50th) | $77,780 | −36.9% |
| 75th | $85,890 | −30.3% |
| 90th | $109,860 | −10.8% |
| Mean | $79,500 | −35.5% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $112,100 | 110 | |
| 2 | Rapid City | $86,150 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in East South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $77,780 goes as far as $87,788 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 28.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$77,780as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$87,788US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $77,780 a year, 36.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $53,910 to $109,860 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 110 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $112,100.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Commercial Pilots in East South Dakota, SD?
The median annual wage is $77,780, 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 $123,220, so pay in East South Dakota, SD is 36.9% 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 East South Dakota, SD earns more than $109,860 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $53,910 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 $112,100 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 110 jobs in this occupation in East South Dakota, SD. 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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