South Dakota Median
$64,500
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.01
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-8% vs US median
US median $70,070
State Rank
#19 of 39
110 employed here
How much do Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $64,500 per year, or about $31.01 per hour. That is 8% below the national median of $70,070 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,890 while the top 10% make $73,150 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,940 and $66,130 a year.
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,890 | $23.02 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,940 | $30.26 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,500 | $31.01 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $66,130 | $31.79 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,150 | $35.17 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 19th out of 39 states and territories for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in other states
Massachusetts $94,330Maryland $92,030New York $87,150Virginia $84,750New Mexico $83,370Delaware $80,610Montana $79,170Idaho $79,020Illinois $78,910Indiana $78,020Arizona $76,620Michigan $75,450Kentucky $73,120South Carolina $71,770Wyoming $71,580California $71,170New Jersey $66,540Tennessee $66,390Missouri $64,390Colorado $64,300Utah $63,190Georgia $63,010Oklahoma $61,860Florida $61,220Arkansas $60,230Pennsylvania $59,800Washington $58,740Kansas $58,590Nevada $56,740West Virginia $56,660Texas $56,470Oregon $50,930Minnesota $49,640Ohio $47,980Wisconsin $47,920North Carolina $47,700Iowa $45,640Louisiana $44,150
Working as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Nationally, about 20,000 people work as Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance 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 ($64,500) 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 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
The median Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota is $64,500 per year, or about $31.01 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,890 at the entry level to $73,150 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators about 8% less than the national median of $70,070. South Dakota ranks 19th out of 39 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,500 a year. About 110 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance 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 Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance 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.