Animal Scientists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$50,660
- 25th Percentile — Junior$63,420
- 50th Percentile — Median$77,300
- 75th Percentile — Senior$101,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$101,990
Half of Animal Scientists in South Dakota earn more than $77,300. The top 10% make $101,990 or more, while entry-level workers start around $50,660.
Animal Scientists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 10th of 13 states for Animal Scientists pay, at $79,940 per year (9.5% below the U.S. average of $88,350).
- 90 people work as Animal Scientists in South Dakota — 2.9% of all U.S. Animal Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 9.69: Animal Scientists jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $50,660; the top 10% earn over $101,990.
- Hourly equivalent: $38.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Texas at $129,960.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Physicists pays the most ($108,270).
Animal Scientists 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. Animal Scientists here earn $79,940 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $79,940 is roughly equivalent to $91,885 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Pennsylvania ($90,580), Kansas ($88,630), Washington ($86,440) are the closest alternatives for Animal Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Physicists $108,270/yr South Dakota +35.4% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota +11.5% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota +9.9% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota +4.9% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $79,240/yr South Dakota 0.9% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $76,060/yr South Dakota 4.9% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota 4.9% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $74,900/yr South Dakota 6.3% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Animal Scientists salary in South Dakota?
The average Animal Scientists salary in South Dakota is $79,940 per year (median $77,300), which is 9.5% below the national average of $88,350.
How does South Dakota rank for Animal Scientists pay?
South Dakota ranks 10th out of 13 states. The highest-paying state is Texas ($129,960/yr).
How much do entry-level Animal Scientists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Animal Scientists in South Dakota earn about $50,660 per year and the 25th percentile is $63,420.
How much do Animal Scientists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $38.43 per hour, based on the $79,940 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Animal Scientists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 90 Animal Scientists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data