SOC 45-4011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Forest and Conservation Workers — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
In South Dakota the median wage is $38,210.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Dakota the median wage is $38,210. That is 12.5% lower than the national median of $43,680. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $37,470 and $44,690. The lowest tenth earn under $34,380, while the highest tenth earn more than $50,640.
Employment stands at 490, or 1.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 27 states with published data for this occupation, South Dakota ranks 16th by median wage. Rapid City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $50,110. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 491st of 563 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $34,380 | −21.3% |
| 25th | $37,470 | −14.2% |
| Median (50th) | $38,210 | −12.5% |
| 75th | $44,690 | +2.3% |
| 90th | $50,640 | +15.9% |
| Mean | $41,060 | −6.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $50,110 | 40 | |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $37,470 | 150 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $38,210 goes as far as $43,126 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 1.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$38,210as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$43,126US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $38,210 a year, 12.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $34,380 to $50,640 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 490 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 16th of 27 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $50,110.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Forest and Conservation Workers in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $38,210, or $18.37 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 $43,680, so pay in South Dakota is 12.5% 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 $50,640 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $34,380 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 $50,110 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 490 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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