Light Truck Drivers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$27,520
- 25th Percentile — Junior$34,230
- 50th Percentile — Median$43,240
- 75th Percentile — Senior$48,720
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$59,400
Half of Light Truck Drivers in South Dakota earn more than $43,240. The top 10% make $59,400 or more, while entry-level workers start around $27,520.
Light Truck Drivers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 46th of 51 states for Light Truck Drivers pay, at $44,100 per year (9.6% below the U.S. average of $48,770).
- 4,820 people work as Light Truck Drivers in South Dakota — 0.5% of all U.S. Light Truck Drivers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.67: Light Truck Drivers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $27,520; the top 10% earn over $59,400.
- Hourly equivalent: $21.2 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $62,940.
- Among transportation jobs in South Dakota, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($94,070).
Light 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. Light Truck Drivers here earn $44,100 on average, placing the state 46th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $44,100 is roughly equivalent to $50,690 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Oklahoma ($45,250), Louisiana ($44,940), Florida ($44,580) are the closest alternatives for Light 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 +113.3% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $77,050/yr South Dakota +74.7% vs this role
- Locomotive Engineers $70,010/yr South Dakota +58.8% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,550/yr South Dakota +32.8% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $48,730/yr South Dakota +10.5% vs this role
- Driver Sales Workers $46,950/yr South Dakota +6.5% vs this role
- Laborers and Freight Stock Material Movers $41,290/yr South Dakota 6.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Light Truck Drivers salary in South Dakota?
The average Light Truck Drivers salary in South Dakota is $44,100 per year (median $43,240), which is 9.6% below the national average of $48,770.
How does South Dakota rank for Light Truck Drivers pay?
South Dakota ranks 46th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($62,940/yr).
How much do entry-level Light Truck Drivers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Light Truck Drivers in South Dakota earn about $27,520 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,230.
How much do Light Truck Drivers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $21.2 per hour, based on the $44,100 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Light Truck Drivers work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 4,820 Light Truck Drivers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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