Conservation Scientists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$51,100
- 25th Percentile — Junior$61,110
- 50th Percentile — Median$76,400
- 75th Percentile — Senior$88,710
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$100,420
Half of Conservation Scientists in South Dakota earn more than $76,400. The top 10% make $100,420 or more, while entry-level workers start around $51,100.
Conservation Scientists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 27th of 51 states for Conservation Scientists pay, at $76,060 per year (1.4% below the U.S. average of $77,130).
- 360 people work as Conservation Scientists in South Dakota — 1.4% of all U.S. Conservation Scientists jobs.
- Location quotient 4.66: Conservation Scientists jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $51,100; the top 10% earn over $100,420.
- Hourly equivalent: $36.57 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $99,050.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Physicists pays the most ($108,270).
Conservation 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. Conservation Scientists here earn $76,060 on average, placing the state 27th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $76,060 is roughly equivalent to $87,425 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Maine ($77,100), Idaho ($76,560), Montana ($76,360) are the closest alternatives for Conservation 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 +42.3% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota +17.2% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota +15.5% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota +10.3% vs this role
- Animal Scientists $79,940/yr South Dakota +5.1% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $79,240/yr South Dakota +4.2% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota 0.1% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $74,900/yr South Dakota 1.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Conservation Scientists salary in South Dakota?
The average Conservation Scientists salary in South Dakota is $76,060 per year (median $76,400), which is 1.4% below the national average of $77,130.
How does South Dakota rank for Conservation Scientists pay?
South Dakota ranks 27th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($99,050/yr).
How much do entry-level Conservation Scientists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Conservation Scientists in South Dakota earn about $51,100 per year and the 25th percentile is $61,110.
How much do Conservation Scientists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $36.57 per hour, based on the $76,060 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Conservation Scientists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 360 Conservation Scientists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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