South Dakota Median
$46,910
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.55
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-7% vs US median
US median $50,270
State Rank
#40 of 43
130 employed here
How much do Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in South Dakota?
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Dakota take home a median of $46,910 annually — roughly $22.55 an hour — which runs 7% below the national median of $50,270.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $36,270 while the top 10% make $57,310 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,310 and $47,520 a year.
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,270 | $17.44 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,310 | $18.42 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $46,910 | $22.55 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $47,520 | $22.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,310 | $27.55 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 40th out of 43 states and territories for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other states
Oklahoma $63,640Maine $61,780Utah $60,790Washington $59,410Louisiana $58,230Minnesota $58,150Kentucky $58,050Wisconsin $58,050Idaho $57,950Oregon $56,810Illinois $56,400New Mexico $53,930New York $52,800Alabama $52,290Pennsylvania $51,780Michigan $50,540New Hampshire $50,200Georgia $50,160South Carolina $50,040Virginia $49,900Arizona $49,160Colorado $48,940Florida $48,910Massachusetts $48,840Indiana $48,780California $48,730Rhode Island $48,710Arkansas $48,630Connecticut $48,530Delaware $48,110Nebraska $47,980North Carolina $47,940Texas $47,830Maryland $47,780Nevada $47,780Missouri $47,560Ohio $47,450Mississippi $47,380Tennessee $46,920Iowa $46,110New Jersey $45,950Kansas $45,840
Working as Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Dakota
Nationally, about 96,000 people work as Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 ($46,910) 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in South Dakota?
The median Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in South Dakota is $46,910 per year, or about $22.55 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $36,270 at the entry level to $57,310 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders about 7% less than the national median of $50,270. South Dakota ranks 40th out of 43 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $46,910 a year. About 130 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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 Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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.