Geoscientists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$61,290
- 25th Percentile — Junior$64,990
- 50th Percentile — Median$71,150
- 75th Percentile — Senior$75,990
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,560
Half of Geoscientists in South Dakota earn more than $71,150. The top 10% make $78,560 or more, while entry-level workers start around $61,290.
Geoscientists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 49th of 50 states for Geoscientists pay, at $72,030 per year (38.0% below the U.S. average of $116,150).
- 80 people work as Geoscientists in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Geoscientists jobs.
- Location quotient 1.17: Geoscientists jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $61,290; the top 10% earn over $78,560.
- Hourly equivalent: $34.63 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Texas at $160,070.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Physicists pays the most ($108,270).
Geoscientists 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. Geoscientists here earn $72,030 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $72,030 is roughly equivalent to $82,793 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Kentucky ($79,810), Iowa ($77,720), Arkansas ($76,830) are the closest alternatives for Geoscientists 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 +50.3% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota +23.8% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota +22.0% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota +16.4% vs this role
- Animal Scientists $79,940/yr South Dakota +11.0% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $79,240/yr South Dakota +10.0% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $76,060/yr South Dakota +5.6% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota +5.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Geoscientists salary in South Dakota?
The average Geoscientists salary in South Dakota is $72,030 per year (median $71,150), which is 38.0% below the national average of $116,150.
How does South Dakota rank for Geoscientists pay?
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 50 states. The highest-paying state is Texas ($160,070/yr).
How much do entry-level Geoscientists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Geoscientists in South Dakota earn about $61,290 per year and the 25th percentile is $64,990.
How much do Geoscientists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $34.63 per hour, based on the $72,030 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Geoscientists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 80 Geoscientists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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