BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Dakota

$48,730 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$23.43 per hour

▲ 0.7% above U.S. average33rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$48,730per year
Median$47,410per year
Hourly$23.43per hour
10th – 90th percentile$37,780 – $61,080per year

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$37,780
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$43,320
  • 50th Percentile — Median$47,410
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$54,770
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$61,080

Half of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Dakota earn more than $47,410. The top 10% make $61,080 or more, while entry-level workers start around $37,780.

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 33rd of 51 states for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay, at $48,730 per year (0.7% above the U.S. average of $48,370).
  • 1,940 people work as Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.85: Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $37,780; the top 10% earn over $61,080.
  • Hourly equivalent: $23.43 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $76,770.
  • Among transportation jobs in South Dakota, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($94,070).

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators 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. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators here earn $48,730 on average, placing the state 33rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $48,730 is roughly equivalent to $56,011 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Iowa ($48,870), Michigan ($48,860), Virginia ($48,810) are the closest alternatives for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in South Dakota?

The average Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in South Dakota is $48,730 per year (median $47,410), which is 0.7% above the national average of $48,370.

How does South Dakota rank for Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay?

South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($76,770/yr).

How much do entry-level Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Dakota earn about $37,780 per year and the 25th percentile is $43,320.

How much do Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators make per hour in South Dakota?

About $23.43 per hour, based on the $48,730 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 1,940 Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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