Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in South Dakota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Dakota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$44,980
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $46,570
State Rank
#29 of 47
460 employed here

How much do Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in South Dakota?

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $44,980 per year, or about $21.63 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $46,570 for this occupation.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $39,720 while the top 10% make $53,800 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,830 and $53,800 a year.

Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in South Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$39,720$19.10
25th percentile (early career)$41,830$20.11
50th percentile (median)$44,980$21.63
75th percentile (experienced)$53,800$25.87
90th percentile (top earners)$53,800$25.87

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 29th out of 47 states and territories for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Minnesota$58,260
2Vermont$52,220
3Colorado$51,750
4Montana$51,540
5Oregon$51,180

Working as Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Dakota

Nationally, about 45,000 people work as Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 ($44,980) 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 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in South Dakota?
The median Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in South Dakota is $44,980 per year, or about $21.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,720 at the entry level to $53,800 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 3% less than the national median of $46,570. South Dakota ranks 29th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,980 a year. About 460 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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.