South Dakota Median
$64,460
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.99
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-16% vs US median
US median $76,400
State Rank
#37 of 44
120 employed here
How much does a Forester make in South Dakota?
Foresters in South Dakota take home a median of $64,460 annually — roughly $30.99 an hour — which runs 16% below the national median of $76,400.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $50,110 while the top 10% make $80,700 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $54,660 and $74,200 a year.
Forester salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,110 | $24.09 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $54,660 | $26.28 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,460 | $30.99 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $74,200 | $35.67 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $80,700 | $38.80 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 37th out of 44 states and territories for Forester pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Forester salary in other states
California $107,120Massachusetts $89,650Alaska $87,210South Carolina $86,780Maryland $86,100Connecticut $84,820Iowa $83,000Illinois $82,160Oregon $81,450Vermont $80,750Texas $80,370Alabama $79,530Washington $78,460Pennsylvania $78,280North Carolina $77,870Georgia $76,970Minnesota $76,490Colorado $76,400Michigan $75,920Utah $75,210District of Columbia $74,710New York $73,710Ohio $73,320Tennessee $71,990Virginia $71,990Mississippi $71,280Arkansas $69,240New Mexico $69,240Wyoming $68,180Kansas $67,540Arizona $67,200Montana $67,200Maine $66,480Wisconsin $66,010Idaho $65,170New Hampshire $65,170Florida $64,130Missouri $63,220West Virginia $62,550Indiana $61,110Kentucky $56,460Nevada $51,070Oklahoma $50,990
Working as a Forester in South Dakota
Nationally, about 10,000 people work as Foresters 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 ($64,460) 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 Forester make in South Dakota?
The median Forester salary in South Dakota is $64,460 per year, or about $30.99 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,110 at the entry level to $80,700 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Foresters about 16% less than the national median of $76,400. South Dakota ranks 37th out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Foresters?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,460 a year. About 120 Foresters 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 Forester 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.