South Dakota Median
$280,900
per year
Hourly Rate
$135.05
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+31% vs US median
US median $213,990
State Rank
#9 of 46
510 employed here
How much does a Chief Executive make in South Dakota?
Chief Executives in South Dakota take home a median of $280,900 annually — roughly $135.05 an hour — which runs 31% above the national median of $213,990.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $175,590 while the top 10% make $546,760 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $211,870 and $428,840 a year.
Chief Executive salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $175,590 | $84.42 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $211,870 | $101.86 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $280,900 | $135.05 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $428,840 | $206.17 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $546,760 | $262.87 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 9th out of 46 states and territories for Chief Executive pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Chief Executive salary in other states
Oregon $341,630Washington $339,810Illinois $331,920North Carolina $314,290Virginia $310,740New Jersey $310,440Connecticut $295,120Hawaii $281,640New York $257,980Texas $257,850Michigan $255,560Indiana $254,180Maryland $248,660Rhode Island $235,360Pennsylvania $232,560California $218,600Nebraska $214,680Colorado $213,370Iowa $211,190Wisconsin $208,350Georgia $208,180Delaware $199,990Tennessee $198,830Minnesota $195,670Montana $182,340Kentucky $179,530Idaho $177,210Ohio $176,440Vermont $175,070Missouri $172,320Utah $171,880South Carolina $168,840New Hampshire $168,590Alaska $166,710Alabama $166,420North Dakota $164,560Oklahoma $163,790Kansas $158,100West Virginia $151,950Nevada $149,770Wyoming $147,940Mississippi $139,250Maine $138,770New Mexico $123,500Arkansas $119,990
Working as a Chief Executive in South Dakota
Nationally, about 204,000 people work as Chief Executives in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($280,900) 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 does a Chief Executive make in South Dakota?
The median Chief Executive salary in South Dakota is $280,900 per year, or about $135.05 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $175,590 at the entry level to $546,760 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Chief Executives about 31% more than the national median of $213,990. South Dakota ranks 9th out of 46 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Chief Executives?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $280,900 a year. About 510 Chief Executives are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Chief Executive 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.