South Dakota Median
$59,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $59,850
State Rank
#31 of 51
2,050 employed here
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota take home a median of $59,500 annually — roughly $28.61 an hour — which runs 1% below the national median of $59,850.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,260 while the top 10% make $75,880 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $50,690 and $63,460 a year.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $50,690 | $24.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $59,500 | $28.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $63,460 | $30.51 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,880 | $36.48 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $115,860Illinois $97,740New Jersey $89,660California $87,160Washington $81,700New York $80,980Indiana $79,580Minnesota $79,130Connecticut $78,750Alaska $77,810Massachusetts $76,820Wisconsin $75,280District of Columbia $74,610Oregon $73,430Nevada $71,410Ohio $64,940Rhode Island $63,610Wyoming $62,960Michigan $62,690Colorado $62,620New Hampshire $62,200North Dakota $62,150Idaho $61,680Montana $61,580Maryland $61,410Utah $60,740Arizona $60,620Missouri $60,540Pennsylvania $60,530Iowa $60,330Vermont $58,870Nebraska $58,360Delaware $58,020Kentucky $57,780Virginia $57,160Maine $56,140New Mexico $52,000Tennessee $52,000Louisiana $51,700Kansas $51,620West Virginia $51,300Texas $50,460Florida $49,400North Carolina $49,310South Carolina $48,940Oklahoma $47,970Georgia $47,880Alabama $47,520Mississippi $47,410Arkansas $44,520
Working as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Nationally, about 478,000 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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 ($59,500) 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
The median Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota is $59,500 per year, or about $28.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,260 at the entry level to $75,880 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators about 1% less than the national median of $59,850. South Dakota ranks 31st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,500 a year. About 2,050 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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 Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators 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.