South Dakota Median
$48,250
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.20
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $57,430
State Rank
#44 of 49
280 employed here
How much do Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in South Dakota?
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $48,250 per year, or about $23.20 per hour. That is 16% below the national median of $57,430 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $41,600 while the top 10% make $61,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,810 and $57,280 a year.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,600 | $20.00 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,810 | $21.54 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,250 | $23.20 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $57,280 | $27.54 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,980 | $29.80 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 44th out of 49 states and territories for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in other states
North Dakota $90,380Illinois $80,600New Jersey $80,310Wyoming $78,230New Mexico $76,350Massachusetts $76,070Alaska $74,680California $74,500Montana $65,850Connecticut $65,710Washington $64,270Nevada $63,810Indiana $61,910West Virginia $61,330Oregon $61,280Minnesota $61,260Colorado $61,020Arizona $60,310Vermont $59,790Rhode Island $59,590Virginia $59,480Iowa $59,390Michigan $59,040Idaho $58,670North Carolina $58,620New Hampshire $58,540Nebraska $58,370Wisconsin $58,280Ohio $58,240New York $58,120Maryland $57,610Missouri $56,760Maine $55,890Utah $54,330Louisiana $53,510South Carolina $52,580Pennsylvania $52,350Florida $51,990Georgia $50,290Tennessee $49,500Texas $49,000Kansas $48,950Mississippi $48,490Kentucky $47,780Alabama $47,770Oklahoma $47,100Delaware $46,900Arkansas $46,170
Working as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining in South Dakota
Nationally, about 34,000 people work as Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining 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 ($48,250) 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 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining make in South Dakota?
The median Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining salary in South Dakota is $48,250 per year, or about $23.20 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,600 at the entry level to $61,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining about 16% less than the national median of $57,430. South Dakota ranks 44th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,250 a year. About 280 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining 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 Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining 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.