South Dakota Median
$48,760
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $52,130
State Rank
#25 of 38
100 employed here
How much does a Food Science Technician make in South Dakota?
A Food Science Technician working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $48,760 per year, or about $23.44 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $52,130 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $33,790 while the top 10% make $54,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,190 and $52,750 a year.
Food Science Technician salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,790 | $16.25 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,190 | $19.80 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,760 | $23.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $52,750 | $25.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,440 | $26.17 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 25th out of 38 states and territories for Food Science Technician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Food Science Technician salary in other states
Virginia $65,360Kentucky $64,770Washington $62,070Vermont $60,980Illinois $60,820Missouri $59,570Nevada $59,070Colorado $58,540Florida $58,500Minnesota $57,940Maryland $57,880Ohio $57,060Massachusetts $56,850New Jersey $56,730Wisconsin $55,690New York $55,470California $54,200Georgia $53,150Michigan $52,130Mississippi $51,460Iowa $50,740Oregon $50,590Connecticut $49,700Idaho $48,980North Carolina $48,640Nebraska $48,530Pennsylvania $48,060Texas $47,760Oklahoma $47,240Arkansas $46,810New Mexico $46,500Utah $45,110Indiana $44,630Louisiana $44,310Alabama $40,940Kansas $39,930South Carolina $39,480
Working as a Food Science Technician in South Dakota
Nationally, about 15,000 people work as Food Science Technicians 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 ($48,760) 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 Food Science Technician make in South Dakota?
The median Food Science Technician salary in South Dakota is $48,760 per year, or about $23.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $33,790 at the entry level to $54,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Food Science Technicians about 6% less than the national median of $52,130. South Dakota ranks 25th out of 38 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Food Science Technicians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,760 a year. About 100 Food Science Technicians 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 Food Science Technician 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.