SOC 19-1032 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Foresters — South Dakota
South Dakota · 1 metro areas compared
In South Dakota the median wage is $64,460.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Dakota the median wage is $64,460. That is 15.6% lower than the national median of $76,400. Pay ranges from under $50,110 at the tenth percentile to more than $80,700 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $54,660 to $74,200.
Employment stands at 120, or 0.3 jobs per thousand held locally. South Dakota ranks number 37th out of 44 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Rapid City records the highest median at $63,210. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 188th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,110 | −34.4% |
| 25th | $54,660 | −28.5% |
| Median (50th) | $64,460 | −15.6% |
| 75th | $74,200 | −2.9% |
| 90th | $80,700 | +5.6% |
| Mean | $65,670 | −14.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $63,210 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $64,460 goes as far as $72,754 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.8% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$64,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$72,754US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $64,460 a year, 15.6% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $50,110 to $80,700 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 37th of 44 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $63,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Foresters in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $64,460, or $30.99 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 $76,400, so pay in South Dakota is 15.6% 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 $80,700 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $50,110 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 $63,210 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 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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