SOC 49-3043 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Rail Car Repairers — South Dakota
South Dakota
The median wage here is $71,750 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $67,530.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $71,750 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $67,530. Half of workers earn between $71,750 and $76,230. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $46,250 and the ninetieth at $79,060.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.48 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 40 states with published data for this occupation, South Dakota ranks 14th by median wage. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 146th of 563 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,250 | −31.5% |
| 25th | $71,750 | +6.2% |
| Median (50th) | $71,750 | +6.2% |
| 75th | $76,230 | +12.9% |
| 90th | $79,060 | +17.1% |
| Mean | $69,030 | +2.2% |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $71,750 goes as far as $80,982 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$71,750as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$80,982US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $71,750 a year, 6.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,250 to $79,060 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 14th of 40 states for this occupation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Rail Car Repairers in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $71,750, or $34.50 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 $67,530, so pay in South Dakota is 6.2% 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 $79,060 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,250 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 90 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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