South Dakota Median
$83,710
per year
Hourly Rate
$40.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-32% vs US median
US median $123,220
State Rank
#48 of 48
320 employed here
How much does a Commercial Pilot make in South Dakota?
Commercial Pilots in South Dakota take home a median of $83,710 annually — roughly $40.25 an hour — which runs 32% below the national median of $123,220.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $51,590 while the top 10% make $157,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,420 and $113,430 a year.
Commercial Pilot salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,590 | $24.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,420 | $28.57 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $83,710 | $40.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $113,430 | $54.53 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,840 | $75.88 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 48th out of 48 states and territories for Commercial Pilot pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Commercial Pilot salary in other states
Connecticut $232,160New Jersey $226,710New York $177,430California $165,590Delaware $163,600Ohio $150,330Georgia $145,100Colorado $139,680Texas $137,960Vermont $137,810Pennsylvania $134,030North Dakota $133,010Maryland $131,210Kentucky $129,990Wisconsin $129,860North Carolina $127,310Michigan $126,670Oklahoma $126,180Illinois $126,100Florida $121,890Oregon $120,760Washington $117,730Maine $117,560Tennessee $117,480Hawaii $113,030Idaho $109,620West Virginia $105,950South Carolina $105,740Kansas $105,440Nevada $105,340Virginia $104,890Nebraska $104,780Indiana $104,160Montana $103,690Mississippi $103,640Arizona $103,060Missouri $102,990Wyoming $102,990Iowa $101,800Alabama $101,420Alaska $100,120Utah $99,610Rhode Island $98,820Minnesota $98,630New Mexico $97,920Louisiana $95,940Arkansas $94,410
Working as a Commercial Pilot in South Dakota
Nationally, about 48,000 people work as Commercial Pilots 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 ($83,710) 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 Commercial Pilot make in South Dakota?
The median Commercial Pilot salary in South Dakota is $83,710 per year, or about $40.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $51,590 at the entry level to $157,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Commercial Pilots about 32% less than the national median of $123,220. South Dakota ranks 48th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Commercial Pilots?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $83,710 a year. About 320 Commercial Pilots 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 Commercial Pilot 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.