South Dakota Median
$50,890
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.47
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-13% vs US median
US median $58,750
State Rank
#49 of 51
830 employed here
How much does a Machinist make in South Dakota?
A Machinist working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $50,890 per year, or about $24.47 per hour. That is 13% below the national median of $58,750 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $39,280 while the top 10% make $60,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,280 and $58,750 a year.
Machinist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,280 | $18.88 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,280 | $22.25 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,890 | $24.47 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,750 | $28.25 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,840 | $29.25 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Machinist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Machinist salary in other states
Hawaii $84,410Alaska $77,670District of Columbia $72,900Massachusetts $67,270Washington $66,160Oregon $63,820New Jersey $63,190Wyoming $63,070Vermont $62,680Delaware $62,650Connecticut $62,130North Dakota $61,820New Hampshire $61,500Virginia $61,290Utah $61,280Minnesota $61,140Louisiana $61,110Arizona $61,080Montana $60,920New York $60,920Colorado $60,200Maryland $59,810New Mexico $59,440Texas $59,180Maine $59,160Wisconsin $59,110Idaho $58,810Missouri $58,710Kentucky $58,660Illinois $58,520South Carolina $57,970Ohio $57,940Pennsylvania $57,810Indiana $57,800Rhode Island $57,760Iowa $57,540California $57,190Florida $57,140Nebraska $55,860Alabama $55,560Mississippi $55,550North Carolina $55,230Nevada $53,050Georgia $52,610Michigan $52,360Kansas $51,220Arkansas $51,140Oklahoma $51,120Tennessee $49,600West Virginia $47,350
Working as a Machinist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 287,000 people work as Machinists 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 ($50,890) 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 Machinist make in South Dakota?
The median Machinist salary in South Dakota is $50,890 per year, or about $24.47 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,280 at the entry level to $60,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Machinists about 13% less than the national median of $58,750. South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Machinists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,890 a year. About 830 Machinists 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 Machinist salary report
Related salaries
$48,990
median pay · 95,000 employed
$41,640
median pay · 14,000 employed
$53,750
median pay · 416,000 employed
$62,620
median pay · specialist role
$41,330
median pay · 7,000 employed
$63,870
median pay · 6,000 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.