South Dakota Median
$34,380
per year
Hourly Rate
$16.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $35,100
State Rank
#27 of 50
140 employed here
How much does a School Bus Monitor make in South Dakota?
School Bus Monitors in South Dakota take home a median of $34,380 annually — roughly $16.53 an hour — which runs 2% below the national median of $35,100.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $32,820 while the top 10% make $35,650 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $32,820 and $35,000 a year.
School Bus Monitor salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,820 | $15.78 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $32,820 | $15.78 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $34,380 | $16.53 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $35,000 | $16.83 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,650 | $17.14 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 27th out of 50 states and territories for School Bus Monitor pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
School Bus Monitor salary in other states
Washington $42,330District of Columbia $41,720Oregon $40,900Hawaii $40,250Vermont $39,020Maryland $38,750Minnesota $38,590North Dakota $38,480California $38,360Maine $38,060Utah $38,020New Hampshire $37,620New York $36,910Wyoming $36,810Wisconsin $36,640Delaware $36,560Virginia $36,510New Mexico $36,250New Jersey $36,100Massachusetts $36,020Rhode Island $35,910Connecticut $35,350Pennsylvania $35,290Nebraska $34,750Montana $34,740Arizona $34,560Missouri $34,220Florida $34,110Alaska $33,990Illinois $33,840Indiana $33,590Colorado $33,540North Carolina $32,970Iowa $32,740Michigan $32,480Idaho $32,230Georgia $30,130Kansas $29,420Texas $29,300Nevada $29,230Arkansas $28,260Kentucky $28,220Alabama $28,210Oklahoma $28,130Ohio $28,110Tennessee $27,250South Carolina $26,240Louisiana $25,250Mississippi $23,500
Working as a School Bus Monitor in South Dakota
Nationally, about 78,000 people work as School Bus Monitors 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 ($34,380) 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 does a School Bus Monitor make in South Dakota?
The median School Bus Monitor salary in South Dakota is $34,380 per year, or about $16.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $32,820 at the entry level to $35,650 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays School Bus Monitors about 2% less than the national median of $35,100. South Dakota ranks 27th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for School Bus Monitors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $34,380 a year. About 140 School Bus Monitors 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 School Bus Monitor 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.