South Dakota Median
$37,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $56,850
State Rank
#30 of 35
190 employed here
How much does an Airfield Operations Specialist make in South Dakota?
Airfield Operations Specialists in South Dakota take home a median of $37,860 annually — roughly $18.20 an hour — which runs 33% below the national median of $56,850.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,460 while the top 10% make $49,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,200 and $46,910 a year.
Airfield Operations Specialist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,460 | $14.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,200 | $15.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,860 | $18.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,910 | $22.55 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,560 | $23.83 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 30th out of 35 states and territories for Airfield Operations Specialist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Airfield Operations Specialist salary in other states
Kentucky $123,290Washington $84,050Alabama $78,590Arizona $77,570Colorado $77,500Oregon $75,130Virginia $72,250Alaska $71,510New Mexico $69,090Georgia $66,790California $62,600Idaho $62,510Michigan $61,780Nevada $61,350Texas $60,910Utah $59,780Florida $57,650Ohio $57,140Massachusetts $56,020Pennsylvania $55,660Oklahoma $49,200Iowa $48,870North Carolina $45,820Mississippi $44,290New Jersey $42,480New York $42,000Missouri $40,360Tennessee $40,180Wisconsin $39,400Indiana $37,730North Dakota $37,550Montana $33,990South Carolina $33,590West Virginia $28,670
Working as an Airfield Operations Specialist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Airfield Operations Specialists in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($37,860) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Airfield Operations Specialist make in South Dakota?
The median Airfield Operations Specialist salary in South Dakota is $37,860 per year, or about $18.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,460 at the entry level to $49,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Airfield Operations Specialists about 33% less than the national median of $56,850. South Dakota ranks 30th out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Airfield Operations Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,860 a year. About 190 Airfield Operations Specialists are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Airfield Operations Specialist salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.