Food Scientists and Technologists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,990
- 25th Percentile — Junior$59,650
- 50th Percentile — Median$71,330
- 75th Percentile — Senior$137,250
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$147,530
Half of Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota earn more than $71,330. The top 10% make $147,530 or more, while entry-level workers start around $41,990.
Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 24th of 39 states for Food Scientists and Technologists pay, at $87,850 per year (7.9% below the U.S. average of $95,360).
- 90 people work as Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota — 0.7% of all U.S. Food Scientists and Technologists jobs.
- Location quotient 2.30: Food Scientists and Technologists jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,990; the top 10% earn over $147,530.
- Hourly equivalent: $42.24 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Massachusetts at $116,780.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Physicists pays the most ($108,270).
Food Scientists and Technologists 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. Food Scientists and Technologists here earn $87,850 on average, placing the state 24th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $87,850 is roughly equivalent to $100,977 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($89,580), Wisconsin ($89,380), Georgia ($88,710) are the closest alternatives for Food Scientists and Technologists 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 +23.2% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota +1.5% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota 4.5% vs this role
- Animal Scientists $79,940/yr South Dakota 9.0% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $79,240/yr South Dakota 9.8% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $76,060/yr South Dakota 13.4% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota 13.5% vs this role
- Urban and Regional Planners $74,900/yr South Dakota 14.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in South Dakota?
The average Food Scientists and Technologists salary in South Dakota is $87,850 per year (median $71,330), which is 7.9% below the national average of $95,360.
How does South Dakota rank for Food Scientists and Technologists pay?
South Dakota ranks 24th out of 39 states. The highest-paying state is Massachusetts ($116,780/yr).
How much do entry-level Food Scientists and Technologists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota earn about $41,990 per year and the 25th percentile is $59,650.
How much do Food Scientists and Technologists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $42.24 per hour, based on the $87,850 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Food Scientists and Technologists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 90 Food Scientists and Technologists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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