South Dakota Median
$31,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$15.22
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $39,200
State Rank
#51 of 51
80 employed here
How much do Couriers and Messengers make in South Dakota?
Couriers and Messengers in South Dakota take home a median of $31,650 annually — roughly $15.22 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $39,200.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,260 while the top 10% make $40,910 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $30,900 and $36,560 a year.
Couriers and Messengers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,260 | $14.55 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $30,900 | $14.86 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $31,650 | $15.22 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $36,560 | $17.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $40,910 | $19.67 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories for Couriers and Messengers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Couriers and Messengers salary in other states
Nevada $46,520Washington $46,500Vermont $45,600District of Columbia $45,210Oregon $45,170Colorado $45,140California $44,970Minnesota $44,860Utah $42,840Massachusetts $42,380Alaska $41,720Maine $41,710Missouri $41,410New Jersey $40,870New Hampshire $40,630Tennessee $40,270Montana $40,080Pennsylvania $39,700Connecticut $39,480Georgia $39,400Texas $39,260Maryland $39,140Illinois $39,100North Carolina $39,100Arizona $38,980Oklahoma $38,910Delaware $38,760New York $38,740Hawaii $38,580New Mexico $38,570Iowa $38,460Kansas $38,370Ohio $38,320North Dakota $38,090Michigan $37,940Virginia $37,820Florida $37,740Indiana $37,270Arkansas $37,070Wisconsin $36,910Rhode Island $36,810South Carolina $36,710Idaho $36,110Kentucky $35,880Mississippi $35,780West Virginia $34,890Alabama $34,820Nebraska $34,600Louisiana $33,490Wyoming $31,680
Working as Couriers and Messengers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 69,000 people work as Couriers and Messengers 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 ($31,650) 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 Couriers and Messengers make in South Dakota?
The median Couriers and Messengers salary in South Dakota is $31,650 per year, or about $15.22 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,260 at the entry level to $40,910 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Couriers and Messengers about 19% less than the national median of $39,200. South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Couriers and Messengers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $31,650 a year. About 80 Couriers and Messengers 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 Couriers and Messengers 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.