South Dakota Median
$78,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.93
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $99,070
State Rank
#40 of 47
130 employed here
How much do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in South Dakota?
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in South Dakota take home a median of $78,900 annually — roughly $37.93 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $99,070.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $63,350 while the top 10% make $129,960 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,220 and $104,380 a year.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,350 | $30.46 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,220 | $32.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $78,900 | $37.93 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $104,380 | $50.18 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,960 | $62.48 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 40th out of 47 states and territories for Atmospheric and Space Scientists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in other states
Maryland $128,800California $124,920Hawaii $121,010New Jersey $120,180Idaho $119,430New York $117,540Florida $115,960Arizona $115,020Missouri $114,230Illinois $112,280Oregon $112,260New Mexico $110,070Kansas $109,300Nevada $109,300Montana $108,890Massachusetts $108,050Minnesota $106,270Colorado $104,670District of Columbia $103,860Maine $103,710Indiana $103,680Kentucky $103,240Michigan $103,210Wyoming $99,940Louisiana $97,470Georgia $96,820Utah $96,520Tennessee $96,190Washington $94,400Alaska $94,380North Carolina $91,560North Dakota $91,560Wisconsin $85,870Connecticut $85,110Texas $84,990Virginia $83,880South Carolina $82,240Alabama $81,080West Virginia $80,690Ohio $78,580Iowa $76,850Oklahoma $76,480Pennsylvania $75,890Arkansas $71,940Nebraska $60,540New Hampshire $42,820
Working as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in South Dakota
Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Atmospheric and Space Scientists in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($78,900) 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 do Atmospheric and Space Scientists make in South Dakota?
The median Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in South Dakota is $78,900 per year, or about $37.93 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $63,350 at the entry level to $129,960 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Atmospheric and Space Scientists about 20% less than the national median of $99,070. South Dakota ranks 40th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Atmospheric and Space Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $78,900 a year. About 130 Atmospheric and Space Scientists 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 Atmospheric and Space Scientists 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.