Locomotive Engineers Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$62,730
- 25th Percentile — Junior$69,180
- 50th Percentile — Median$69,180
- 75th Percentile — Senior$69,200
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$81,640
Half of Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota earn more than $69,180. The top 10% make $81,640 or more, while entry-level workers start around $62,730.
Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 30th of 35 states for Locomotive Engineers pay, at $70,010 per year (18.5% below the U.S. average of $85,900).
- 150 people work as Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota — 0.4% of all U.S. Locomotive Engineers jobs.
- Location quotient 1.57: Locomotive Engineers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $62,730; the top 10% earn over $81,640.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.66 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Mississippi at $125,980.
- Among transportation jobs in South Dakota, Commercial Pilots pays the most ($94,070).
Locomotive Engineers 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. Locomotive Engineers here earn $70,010 on average, placing the state 30th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $70,010 is roughly equivalent to $80,471 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, California ($75,600), Texas ($73,530), Kansas ($72,180) are the closest alternatives for Locomotive Engineers 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 +34.4% vs this role
- Transportation Inspectors $77,050/yr South Dakota +10.1% vs this role
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers $58,550/yr South Dakota 16.4% vs this role
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators $48,730/yr South Dakota 30.4% vs this role
- Driver Sales Workers $46,950/yr South Dakota 32.9% vs this role
- Light Truck Drivers $44,100/yr South Dakota 37.0% vs this role
- Laborers and Freight Stock Material Movers $41,290/yr South Dakota 41.0% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Locomotive Engineers salary in South Dakota?
The average Locomotive Engineers salary in South Dakota is $70,010 per year (median $69,180), which is 18.5% below the national average of $85,900.
How does South Dakota rank for Locomotive Engineers pay?
South Dakota ranks 30th out of 35 states. The highest-paying state is Mississippi ($125,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Locomotive Engineers make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Locomotive Engineers in South Dakota earn about $62,730 per year and the 25th percentile is $69,180.
How much do Locomotive Engineers make per hour in South Dakota?
About $33.66 per hour, based on the $70,010 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Locomotive Engineers work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 150 Locomotive Engineers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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