South Dakota Median
$38,210
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.37
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $43,680
State Rank
#16 of 27
490 employed here
How much do Forest and Conservation Workers make in South Dakota?
Forest and Conservation Workers working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $38,210 per year, or about $18.37 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $43,680 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $34,380 while the top 10% make $50,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,470 and $44,690 a year.
Forest and Conservation Workers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,380 | $16.53 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,470 | $18.01 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,210 | $18.37 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,690 | $21.49 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 16th out of 27 states and territories for Forest and Conservation Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forest and Conservation Workers salary in other states
Idaho $59,460Hawaii $56,330Virginia $54,560Massachusetts $51,890Pennsylvania $50,250Ohio $48,470Arkansas $47,310Oregon $46,010Washington $44,430South Carolina $44,050California $43,680New Jersey $41,600Tennessee $40,320Louisiana $39,900Minnesota $39,590Colorado $37,690Missouri $37,170Florida $36,780Wisconsin $36,420New Mexico $36,370Nevada $35,760Georgia $34,150Connecticut $34,010Iowa $33,600Montana $32,600Texas $30,470
Working as Forest and Conservation Workers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 6,000 people work as Forest and Conservation Workers in the United States. No college degree is required — most training happens on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($38,210) 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 Forest and Conservation Workers make in South Dakota?
The median Forest and Conservation Workers salary in South Dakota is $38,210 per year, or about $18.37 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,380 at the entry level to $50,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Forest and Conservation Workers about 13% less than the national median of $43,680. South Dakota ranks 16th out of 27 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Forest and Conservation Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,210 a year. About 490 Forest and Conservation Workers 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 Forest and Conservation Workers 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.