South Dakota Median
$59,970
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-23% vs US median
US median $78,120
State Rank
#31 of 35
180 employed here
How much do Chemical Plant and System Operators make in South Dakota?
Chemical Plant and System Operators working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $59,970 per year, or about $28.83 per hour. That is 23% below the national median of $78,120 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $49,790 while the top 10% make $65,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $52,020 and $61,720 a year.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,790 | $23.94 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $52,020 | $25.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,970 | $28.83 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,720 | $29.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,640 | $31.56 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 31st out of 35 states and territories for Chemical Plant and System Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in other states
Florida $128,830Wyoming $107,810Texas $102,750Louisiana $100,060Kentucky $97,550Maryland $95,150Alabama $91,610Arkansas $91,610California $87,550Oregon $87,110New Jersey $86,820Massachusetts $83,710Idaho $82,980West Virginia $81,710New Mexico $72,610Michigan $72,430Mississippi $71,080Pennsylvania $70,110South Carolina $68,510Ohio $67,580Minnesota $66,500Illinois $65,710Utah $63,460Virginia $63,000New York $62,980North Carolina $62,920Colorado $62,870Wisconsin $62,720Iowa $60,440Washington $60,120Missouri $55,470Georgia $49,230Indiana $49,110Tennessee $45,830
Working as Chemical Plant and System Operators in South Dakota
Nationally, about 17,000 people work as Chemical Plant and System Operators 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 ($59,970) 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 Chemical Plant and System Operators make in South Dakota?
The median Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in South Dakota is $59,970 per year, or about $28.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,790 at the entry level to $65,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Chemical Plant and System Operators about 23% less than the national median of $78,120. South Dakota ranks 31st out of 35 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Chemical Plant and System Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,970 a year. About 180 Chemical Plant and System Operators 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 Chemical Plant and System Operators 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.