South Dakota Median
$67,440
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.42
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $91,240
State Rank
#49 of 51
170 employed here
How much does a Chemist make in South Dakota?
Chemists in South Dakota take home a median of $67,440 annually — roughly $32.42 an hour — which runs 26% below the national median of $91,240.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $51,270 while the top 10% make $101,030 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,940 and $83,590 a year.
Chemist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,940 | $28.34 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $67,440 | $32.42 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,590 | $40.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,030 | $48.57 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Chemist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chemist salary in other states
District of Columbia $149,860Maryland $140,670Delaware $129,860New Mexico $126,960Massachusetts $125,000Alaska $106,010Oregon $104,590Louisiana $103,890Wyoming $102,000Colorado $101,980Rhode Island $101,660New Hampshire $100,050Texas $99,640Minnesota $99,280Connecticut $98,140California $97,860Alabama $97,830Michigan $97,440Washington $97,420North Dakota $97,330Virginia $96,650Georgia $92,750New York $90,600Tennessee $87,930Vermont $86,120Iowa $86,100West Virginia $85,560Ohio $85,270Illinois $85,230New Jersey $84,450Hawaii $84,150Kentucky $84,090Kansas $82,820Missouri $82,800Florida $82,740North Carolina $82,620Arizona $81,730Nevada $81,170Utah $80,770Mississippi $80,060South Carolina $79,670Indiana $78,770Wisconsin $78,730Idaho $78,000Pennsylvania $77,090Arkansas $75,570Oklahoma $74,960Nebraska $74,890Maine $64,440Montana $61,890
Working as a Chemist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 83,000 people work as Chemists 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 ($67,440) 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 a Chemist make in South Dakota?
The median Chemist salary in South Dakota is $67,440 per year, or about $32.42 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,270 at the entry level to $101,030 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Chemists about 26% less than the national median of $91,240. South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Chemists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $67,440 a year. About 170 Chemists 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 Chemist 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.