Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$41,590
- 25th Percentile — Junior$48,370
- 50th Percentile — Median$58,690
- 75th Percentile — Senior$64,480
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$78,610
Half of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Dakota earn more than $58,690. The top 10% make $78,610 or more, while entry-level workers start around $41,590.
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 34th of 51 states for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay, at $58,550 per year (1.9% below the U.S. average of $59,710).
- 6,470 people work as Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.07: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $41,590; the top 10% earn over $78,610.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.15 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $69,520.
- Among transportation jobs in South Dakota, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($94,070).
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 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. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers here earn $58,550 on average, placing the state 34th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $58,550 is roughly equivalent to $67,299 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Montana ($59,180), Idaho ($59,160), Wisconsin ($58,890) are the closest alternatives for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers 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
- Commercial Pilots $94,070/yr South Dakota +60.7% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $77,050/yr South Dakota +31.6% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $70,010/yr South Dakota +19.6% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $48,730/yr South Dakota 16.8% vs this role
- Driver Sales Workers $46,950/yr South Dakota 19.8% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $44,100/yr South Dakota 24.7% vs this role
- Laborers and Freight Stock Material Movers $41,290/yr South Dakota 29.5% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in South Dakota?
The average Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in South Dakota is $58,550 per year (median $58,690), which is 1.9% below the national average of $59,710.
How does South Dakota rank for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers pay?
South Dakota ranks 34th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($69,520/yr).
How much do entry-level Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in South Dakota earn about $41,590 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,370.
How much do Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $28.15 per hour, based on the $58,550 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 6,470 Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data