South Dakota Median
$58,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $61,770
State Rank
#43 of 51
1,340 employed here
How much do Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make in South Dakota?
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $58,120 per year, or about $27.94 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $61,770 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $45,500 while the top 10% make $78,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,570 and $65,200 a year.
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,500 | $21.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $49,570 | $23.83 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,120 | $27.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $65,200 | $31.35 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,810 | $37.89 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary in other states
Hawaii $80,080Washington $77,900Alaska $75,580Maryland $74,790California $73,950Massachusetts $73,270New Jersey $72,340New Hampshire $71,390Colorado $70,480New York $70,100Nevada $68,410Connecticut $67,300Rhode Island $67,270Minnesota $66,840North Dakota $66,110District of Columbia $65,200Utah $64,350Illinois $64,340Oregon $63,970Delaware $63,590Wisconsin $62,450Pennsylvania $61,740Arizona $61,680Wyoming $61,580Michigan $61,420Georgia $61,370Virginia $61,090Maine $60,850Indiana $60,610Florida $60,490Ohio $60,470Montana $59,990Iowa $59,680Kansas $59,460Vermont $59,390Missouri $59,360South Carolina $59,330Idaho $59,230Tennessee $59,190Nebraska $59,140Texas $58,810Louisiana $58,680North Carolina $57,490New Mexico $55,910Kentucky $55,480Oklahoma $55,340Mississippi $54,360Arkansas $52,330Alabama $50,470West Virginia $46,610
Working as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists in South Dakota
Nationally, about 290,000 people work as Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine 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 ($58,120) 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 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists make in South Dakota?
The median Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists salary in South Dakota is $58,120 per year, or about $27.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,500 at the entry level to $78,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists about 6% less than the national median of $61,770. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,120 a year. About 1,340 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine 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 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists 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.