SOC 19-4092 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forensic Science Technicians — South Dakota
South Dakota
At $51,690, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Forensic Science Technicians, 28.3% beneath the national figure of $72,060.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $51,690, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Forensic Science Technicians, 28.3% beneath the national figure of $72,060. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $43,680 and $62,310. The lowest tenth earn under $26,450, while the highest tenth earn more than $72,510.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.58 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 41 states with published data for this occupation, South Dakota ranks 40th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 291st of 563 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $26,450 | −63.3% |
| 25th | $43,680 | −39.4% |
| Median (50th) | $51,690 | −28.3% |
| 75th | $62,310 | −13.5% |
| 90th | $72,510 | +0.6% |
| Mean | $54,770 | −24.0% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $51,690 goes as far as $58,341 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$51,690as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$58,341US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $51,690 a year, 28.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $26,450 to $72,510 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 40th of 41 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forensic Science Technicians in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $51,690, or $24.85 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 $72,060, so pay in South Dakota is 28.3% 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 $72,510 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $26,450 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.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 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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