South Dakota Median
$68,230
per year
Hourly Rate
$32.80
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $82,220
State Rank
#43 of 51
240 employed here
How much do Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in South Dakota?
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in South Dakota take home a median of $68,230 annually — roughly $32.80 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $82,220.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $49,390 while the top 10% make $97,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,910 and $79,880 a year.
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,390 | $23.75 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,910 | $30.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $68,230 | $32.80 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $79,880 | $38.40 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,060 | $46.66 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in other states
District of Columbia $132,620California $106,510Rhode Island $100,730Massachusetts $100,640Washington $98,300Oregon $97,440Texas $92,000Alaska $91,960Utah $90,710Minnesota $88,000New Mexico $86,630Colorado $85,990Georgia $85,710North Dakota $84,570Maryland $84,190Nevada $83,050Virginia $82,230New York $82,160West Virginia $82,100Connecticut $82,070Illinois $81,590New Hampshire $80,810Arizona $80,600Montana $80,260Hawaii $79,510New Jersey $79,210Iowa $78,780Ohio $78,540Kansas $78,210Vermont $77,460Tennessee $76,840Pennsylvania $76,110Michigan $76,080Oklahoma $75,910South Carolina $74,910North Carolina $74,130Wyoming $74,050Wisconsin $72,820Alabama $72,490Kentucky $71,040Idaho $70,350Louisiana $69,820Maine $66,480Indiana $64,700Delaware $64,690Nebraska $64,040Missouri $61,050Florida $60,830Mississippi $57,780Arkansas $57,220
Working as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in South Dakota
Nationally, about 89,000 people work as Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($68,230) 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 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health make in South Dakota?
The median Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health salary in South Dakota is $68,230 per year, or about $32.80 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $49,390 at the entry level to $97,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health about 17% less than the national median of $82,220. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $68,230 a year. About 240 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 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 Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health 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.