Commercial Pilots Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,590
- 25th Percentile — Junior$59,420
- 50th Percentile — Median$83,710
- 75th Percentile — Senior$113,430
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$157,840
Half of Commercial Pilots in South Dakota earn more than $83,710. The top 10% make $157,840 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,590.
Commercial Pilots in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 48th of 48 states for Commercial Pilots pay, at $94,070 per year (35.6% below the U.S. average of $146,080).
- 320 people work as Commercial Pilots in South Dakota — 0.7% of all U.S. Commercial Pilots jobs.
- Location quotient 2.31: Commercial Pilots jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,590; the top 10% earn over $157,840.
- Hourly equivalent: $45.23 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Connecticut at $231,650.
- Among transportation jobs in South Dakota, Transportation Inspectors pays the most ($77,050).
Commercial Pilots 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. Commercial Pilots here earn $94,070 on average, placing the state 48th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $94,070 is roughly equivalent to $108,126 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Alaska ($107,070), Wyoming ($106,190), Nebraska ($103,300) are the closest alternatives for Commercial Pilots weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Transportation Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Transportation Inspectors $77,050/yr South Dakota 18.1% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $70,010/yr South Dakota 25.6% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,550/yr South Dakota 37.8% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $48,730/yr South Dakota 48.2% vs this role
- Driver Sales Workers $46,950/yr South Dakota 50.1% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $44,100/yr South Dakota 53.1% vs this role
- Laborers and Freight Stock Material Movers $41,290/yr South Dakota 56.1% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Commercial Pilots salary in South Dakota?
The average Commercial Pilots salary in South Dakota is $94,070 per year (median $83,710), which is 35.6% below the national average of $146,080.
How does South Dakota rank for Commercial Pilots pay?
South Dakota ranks 48th out of 48 states. The highest-paying state is Connecticut ($231,650/yr).
How much do entry-level Commercial Pilots make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Commercial Pilots in South Dakota earn about $51,590 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,420.
How much do Commercial Pilots make per hour in South Dakota?
About $45.23 per hour, based on the $94,070 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Commercial Pilots work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 320 Commercial Pilots jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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