South Dakota Median
$44,410
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $40,130
State Rank
#14 of 47
740 employed here
How much do Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in South Dakota?
Slaughterers and Meat Packers working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $44,410 per year, or about $21.35 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $40,130 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $34,950 while the top 10% make $48,080 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $38,650 and $45,440 a year.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,950 | $16.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $38,650 | $18.58 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,410 | $21.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $45,440 | $21.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,080 | $23.12 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 14th out of 47 states and territories for Slaughterers and Meat Packers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in other states
Colorado $50,480Arizona $49,020Nebraska $48,910Kansas $48,240Montana $46,700South Carolina $46,000Oregon $45,980Oklahoma $45,970Michigan $45,850New Jersey $45,230Washington $45,100Illinois $44,950Missouri $44,490Utah $44,040Iowa $43,820Indiana $43,770Minnesota $43,360Texas $43,160Vermont $42,220Idaho $40,370Louisiana $40,120North Carolina $39,930North Dakota $39,730California $39,420New Hampshire $39,270Hawaii $38,890Maine $38,740Kentucky $38,330Arkansas $37,800Massachusetts $37,780Maryland $37,650Rhode Island $37,570Wisconsin $37,510Virginia $37,430Pennsylvania $37,330Ohio $36,800Georgia $36,770Alabama $36,360Connecticut $36,290Tennessee $35,790Florida $34,430New York $33,880Mississippi $33,650Delaware $31,200New Mexico $30,560Nevada $30,430
Working as Slaughterers and Meat Packers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 70,000 people work as Slaughterers and Meat Packers 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 ($44,410) 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 Slaughterers and Meat Packers make in South Dakota?
The median Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in South Dakota is $44,410 per year, or about $21.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $34,950 at the entry level to $48,080 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Slaughterers and Meat Packers about 11% more than the national median of $40,130. South Dakota ranks 14th out of 47 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Slaughterers and Meat Packers?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $44,410 a year. About 740 Slaughterers and Meat Packers are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Slaughterers and Meat Packers 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.