South Dakota Median
$77,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$37.11
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $75,440
State Rank
#19 of 50
180 employed here
How much does a Surveyor make in South Dakota?
A Surveyor working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $77,190 per year, or about $37.11 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $75,440 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $59,690 while the top 10% make $122,560 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $68,890 and $100,580 a year.
Surveyor salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,690 | $28.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $68,890 | $33.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $77,190 | $37.11 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,580 | $48.36 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,560 | $58.92 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories for Surveyor pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Surveyor salary in other states
California $105,330Alaska $99,550Oregon $97,070Massachusetts $94,590Washington $85,610Montana $84,610Minnesota $83,620Maine $83,200Delaware $82,890Nevada $82,460Hawaii $82,200Wyoming $81,250Indiana $80,510Wisconsin $79,650North Dakota $79,360Colorado $79,310New York $78,870Arizona $77,490New Jersey $77,160Iowa $77,090Connecticut $76,730Vermont $76,450Tennessee $76,340North Carolina $76,210Illinois $75,980Pennsylvania $75,950Kansas $75,860New Mexico $74,230Idaho $73,940Utah $73,230Michigan $72,080Kentucky $71,840Virginia $71,070Ohio $70,620Nebraska $68,050Alabama $66,840Florida $65,480New Hampshire $65,130Maryland $64,910South Carolina $63,300Louisiana $63,140Rhode Island $62,670Missouri $62,110West Virginia $61,520Oklahoma $61,300Texas $61,150Mississippi $58,720Georgia $58,100Arkansas $51,800
Working as a Surveyor in South Dakota
Nationally, about 51,000 people work as Surveyors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($77,190) 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 Surveyor make in South Dakota?
The median Surveyor salary in South Dakota is $77,190 per year, or about $37.11 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $59,690 at the entry level to $122,560 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Surveyors about 2% more than the national median of $75,440. South Dakota ranks 19th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Surveyors?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $77,190 a year. About 180 Surveyors 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 Surveyor salary report
Related salaries
$63,520
median pay · 14,000 employed
$102,440
median pay · 366,000 employed
$100,840
median pay · 368,000 employed
$74,510
median pay · 36,000 employed
$76,870
median pay · 18,000 employed
$73,900
median pay · 16,000 employed
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.