Estimate · based on BLS national data

Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in South Dakota

$251,126 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$120.73 per hour

▼ 13.0% below U.S. average26th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: Estimate (BLS national × cost of living) Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$251,126per year
Median$201,962per year
Hourly$120.73per hour
10th – 90th percentile$108,373 – $371,249per year

Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$108,373
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$170,512
  • 50th Percentile — Median$201,962
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$310,324
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$371,249

Half of Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in South Dakota earn more than $201,962. The top 10% make $371,249 or more, while entry-level workers start around $108,373.

Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living

  • South Dakota ranks 26th of 51 states for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pay, at $251,126 per year (13.0% below the U.S. average of $288,650).
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $108,373; the top 10% earn over $371,249.
  • Hourly equivalent: $120.73 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Georgia at $476,310.
  • Among transportation jobs in South Dakota, Air Traffic Controllers pays the most ($127,446).

Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers Job Market in South Dakota

Key factors affecting compensation

South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers here earn $251,126 on average, placing the state 26th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $251,126 is roughly equivalent to $288,651 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Dakota ($265,558), Wisconsin ($265,558), Minnesota ($256,750) are the closest alternatives for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salary in South Dakota?

The average Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers salary in South Dakota is $251,126 per year (median $201,962), which is 13.0% below the national average of $288,650.

How does South Dakota rank for Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers pay?

South Dakota ranks 26th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Georgia ($476,310/yr).

How much do entry-level Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers in South Dakota earn about $108,373 per year and the 25th percentile is $170,512.

How much do Airline Pilots Copilots and Flight Engineers make per hour in South Dakota?

About $120.73 per hour, based on the $251,126 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

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