South Dakota Median
$37,310
per year
Hourly Rate
$17.94
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $40,140
State Rank
#43 of 51
520 employed here
How much do Butchers and Meat Cutters make in South Dakota?
Butchers and Meat Cutters in South Dakota take home a median of $37,310 annually — roughly $17.94 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $40,140.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $33,830 while the top 10% make $56,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,970 and $46,470 a year.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,830 | $16.26 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,970 | $16.81 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $37,310 | $17.94 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $46,470 | $22.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,060 | $26.95 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Butchers and Meat Cutters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in other states
Washington $51,670Alaska $50,450Hawaii $50,080Oregon $49,360District of Columbia $48,760Massachusetts $48,430New Hampshire $47,740Colorado $47,490New York $47,080Delaware $47,040Wisconsin $45,980Arizona $45,780Vermont $45,580Rhode Island $45,210Wyoming $44,820Connecticut $44,570California $44,290Maryland $44,130Minnesota $43,930Utah $43,440Florida $42,790Indiana $42,440Montana $41,600Nevada $40,290North Dakota $40,080Tennessee $39,960South Carolina $39,790Virginia $39,770Michigan $39,350Illinois $39,240Georgia $38,540New Jersey $38,540Pennsylvania $38,340Maine $38,250North Carolina $38,240Idaho $38,030Missouri $37,860Iowa $37,750Nebraska $37,630Ohio $37,630Texas $37,400Kansas $37,320Louisiana $36,790New Mexico $36,640Alabama $36,500Kentucky $35,430Oklahoma $35,070Arkansas $34,380West Virginia $33,570Mississippi $29,700
Working as Butchers and Meat Cutters in South Dakota
Nationally, about 136,000 people work as Butchers and Meat Cutters 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 ($37,310) 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 Butchers and Meat Cutters make in South Dakota?
The median Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in South Dakota is $37,310 per year, or about $17.94 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,830 at the entry level to $56,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Butchers and Meat Cutters about 7% less than the national median of $40,140. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Butchers and Meat Cutters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,310 a year. About 520 Butchers and Meat Cutters 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 Butchers and Meat Cutters 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.