South Dakota Median
$96,150
per year
Hourly Rate
$46.23
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $120,230
State Rank
#36 of 49
220 employed here
How much does a Data Scientist make in South Dakota?
A Data Scientist working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $96,150 per year, or about $46.23 per hour. That is 20% below the national median of $120,230 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $67,510 while the top 10% make $145,510 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $83,810 and $123,260 a year.
Data Scientist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,510 | $32.46 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $83,810 | $40.29 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $96,150 | $46.23 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $123,260 | $59.26 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $145,510 | $69.96 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories for Data Scientist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Data Scientist salary in other states
Washington $163,350California $141,590Maryland $136,370New Jersey $135,280Massachusetts $131,750New York $130,460Minnesota $128,800Vermont $127,070District of Columbia $126,490Virginia $126,430Connecticut $126,340Oregon $125,990Texas $122,090North Carolina $119,090Colorado $117,400Florida $115,820Arkansas $109,390Utah $108,090Arizona $107,240Pennsylvania $106,850Wisconsin $106,680Illinois $106,560Georgia $104,340Alabama $103,120Ohio $102,630Rhode Island $102,440Hawaii $102,130New Hampshire $100,620Michigan $100,590Montana $100,490Tennessee $100,330Nevada $98,540Nebraska $98,230Kansas $98,130Missouri $97,090New Mexico $95,850Iowa $95,830South Carolina $91,990Kentucky $91,760Indiana $91,470Maine $90,880Idaho $89,380Oklahoma $86,310West Virginia $85,090Alaska $84,110North Dakota $81,900Louisiana $78,760Mississippi $69,490
Working as a Data Scientist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 262,000 people work as Data Scientists 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 ($96,150) 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 Data Scientist make in South Dakota?
The median Data Scientist salary in South Dakota is $96,150 per year, or about $46.23 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $67,510 at the entry level to $145,510 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Data Scientists about 20% less than the national median of $120,230. South Dakota ranks 36th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Data Scientists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $96,150 a year. About 220 Data Scientists 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 Data Scientist 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.