South Dakota Median
$43,240
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $44,860
State Rank
#35 of 51
4,820 employed here
How much does a Light Truck Driver make in South Dakota?
A Light Truck Driver working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $43,240 per year, or about $20.79 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $44,860 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $27,520 while the top 10% make $59,400 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,230 and $48,720 a year.
Light Truck Driver salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,520 | $13.23 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $34,230 | $16.46 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $43,240 | $20.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $48,720 | $23.42 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,400 | $28.56 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories for Light Truck Driver pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Light Truck Driver salary in other states
Alaska $57,190District of Columbia $49,330Washington $49,070Minnesota $48,880Colorado $48,410Maryland $48,150Massachusetts $48,110North Dakota $47,950Illinois $47,380Oregon $47,150New Jersey $46,820California $46,790Montana $46,420New York $46,330New Hampshire $46,260Hawaii $45,930Utah $45,860Wisconsin $45,670Rhode Island $45,660Missouri $45,500Arizona $45,140Vermont $45,090Tennessee $45,050Indiana $44,560Maine $44,550Connecticut $44,500Idaho $44,370Nebraska $44,120Pennsylvania $44,120Georgia $44,050Delaware $43,990Wyoming $43,780Nevada $43,760Kansas $43,730Kentucky $43,230Michigan $43,000Iowa $42,750Ohio $42,600Texas $42,500Virginia $42,450New Mexico $42,360Florida $41,810North Carolina $39,910Oklahoma $39,840Louisiana $39,440West Virginia $38,860Alabama $38,490Mississippi $38,140South Carolina $37,680Arkansas $37,080
Working as a Light Truck Driver in South Dakota
Nationally, about 983,000 people work as Light Truck Drivers 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 ($43,240) 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 Light Truck Driver make in South Dakota?
The median Light Truck Driver salary in South Dakota is $43,240 per year, or about $20.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $27,520 at the entry level to $59,400 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Light Truck Drivers about 4% less than the national median of $44,860. South Dakota ranks 35th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Light Truck Drivers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $43,240 a year. About 4,820 Light Truck Drivers 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 Light Truck Driver salary report
Related salaries
$49,640
median pay · 1,000 employed
$35,830
median pay · 380,000 employed
$59,090
median pay · 8,000 employed
$45,650
median pay · 14,000 employed
$41,800
median pay · 23,000 employed
$38,770
median pay · 409,000 employed
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.