Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service Salary in South Dakota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service in South Dakota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$37,580
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.07
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $39,280
State Rank
#36 of 50
320 employed here

How much do Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service make in South Dakota?

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $37,580 per year, or about $18.07 per hour. That is 4% below the national median of $39,280 for this occupation.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $30,530 while the top 10% make $47,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $34,220 and $39,890 a year.

Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service salary range in South Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$30,530$14.68
25th percentile (early career)$34,220$16.45
50th percentile (median)$37,580$18.07
75th percentile (experienced)$39,890$19.18
90th percentile (top earners)$47,820$22.99

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 36th out of 50 states and territories for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$49,240
2Massachusetts$48,860
3Washington$46,380
4Vermont$45,380
5Utah$45,150

Working as Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service in South Dakota

Nationally, about 55,000 people work as Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service 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 ($37,580) 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 Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service make in South Dakota?
The median Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service salary in South Dakota is $37,580 per year, or about $18.07 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $30,530 at the entry level to $47,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service about 4% less than the national median of $39,280. South Dakota ranks 36th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $37,580 a year. About 320 Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service 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 Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service salary report

Related salaries

Proofreaders and Copy Markers

$51,120
median pay · 5,000 employed

Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks

$35,070
median pay · 261,000 employed

Billing and Posting Clerks

$48,500
median pay · 404,000 employed

Word Processors and Typists

$49,280
median pay · 35,000 employed

Office and Administrative Support Workers, All Other

$45,670
median pay · 192,000 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.