South Dakota Median
$57,430
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.61
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $62,470
State Rank
#33 of 44
190 employed here
How much do Plant and System Operators, All Other make in South Dakota?
Plant and System Operators, All Other in South Dakota take home a median of $57,430 annually — roughly $27.61 an hour — which runs 8% below the national median of $62,470.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $43,700 while the top 10% make $73,720 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,140 and $61,800 a year.
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,700 | $21.01 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,140 | $22.18 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $57,430 | $27.61 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,800 | $29.71 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,720 | $35.44 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 44 states and territories for Plant and System Operators, All Other pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in other states
Massachusetts $120,660Washington $88,730Minnesota $88,290Maryland $81,890Montana $81,340Nevada $80,000California $78,020Illinois $77,780Iowa $75,800New York $74,700Oklahoma $74,240Kansas $74,190Oregon $71,900West Virginia $70,660Indiana $70,490New Jersey $69,970Kentucky $69,430Arizona $69,260Connecticut $68,950Utah $67,910Wyoming $66,770Mississippi $65,080Michigan $64,690Ohio $64,140New Hampshire $64,030Wisconsin $62,800Louisiana $62,630Maine $62,270Virginia $61,940Idaho $61,690North Carolina $61,190Tennessee $60,240South Carolina $56,060New Mexico $55,710Alabama $51,690Colorado $51,600Missouri $51,560Florida $50,910Pennsylvania $50,840Texas $50,820Nebraska $48,220Arkansas $46,020Georgia $44,670
Working as Plant and System Operators, All Other in South Dakota
Nationally, about 14,000 people work as Plant and System Operators, All Other 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 ($57,430) 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 Plant and System Operators, All Other make in South Dakota?
The median Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in South Dakota is $57,430 per year, or about $27.61 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,700 at the entry level to $73,720 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Plant and System Operators, All Other about 8% less than the national median of $62,470. South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 44 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Plant and System Operators, All Other?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,430 a year. About 190 Plant and System Operators, All Other 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 Plant and System Operators, All Other 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.