South Dakota Median
$57,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.48
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $60,190
State Rank
#35 of 48
80 employed here
How much do Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make in South Dakota?
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $57,160 per year, or about $27.48 per hour. That is 5% below the national median of $60,190 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $48,310 while the top 10% make $70,100 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,980 and $60,760 a year.
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,310 | $23.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $51,980 | $24.99 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,160 | $27.48 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,760 | $29.21 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,100 | $33.70 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 35th out of 48 states and territories for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in other states
Washington $80,490Alaska $80,040Illinois $79,080New Jersey $77,950Montana $71,470Wisconsin $68,320California $66,910New Hampshire $66,410Connecticut $65,710Kansas $65,600Oregon $64,920Colorado $64,820Wyoming $64,450Massachusetts $64,180Minnesota $63,790Indiana $62,750Michigan $62,570North Dakota $62,570South Carolina $61,500Vermont $61,420Maryland $61,260Nevada $61,030Ohio $61,010New York $60,860Mississippi $60,680Utah $60,490Nebraska $60,200New Mexico $60,140Arizona $58,870Texas $58,700Tennessee $58,670Pennsylvania $57,400North Carolina $57,300Delaware $57,160Kentucky $56,160Louisiana $55,690West Virginia $55,540Virginia $55,470Florida $55,320Idaho $54,830Oklahoma $54,180Iowa $54,000Missouri $51,530Georgia $50,030Alabama $46,440Arkansas $46,160Maine $45,560
Working as Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas in South Dakota
Nationally, about 19,000 people work as Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas 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 ($57,160) 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 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas make in South Dakota?
The median Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas salary in South Dakota is $57,160 per year, or about $27.48 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,310 at the entry level to $70,100 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas about 5% less than the national median of $60,190. South Dakota ranks 35th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,160 a year. About 80 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas 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 Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas 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.