BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Logging Equipment Operators in South Dakota

$55,770 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$26.81 per hour

▲ 4.9% above U.S. average10th of 36 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$55,770per year
Median$58,740per year
Hourly$26.81per hour
10th – 90th percentile$45,170 – $59,330per year

Logging Equipment Operators Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$45,170
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$48,530
  • 50th Percentile — Median$58,740
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$59,130
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$59,330

Half of Logging Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn more than $58,740. The top 10% make $59,330 or more, while entry-level workers start around $45,170.

Logging Equipment Operators in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 10th of 36 states for Logging Equipment Operators pay, at $55,770 per year (4.9% above the U.S. average of $53,190).
  • 50 people work as Logging Equipment Operators in South Dakota — 0.2% of all U.S. Logging Equipment Operators jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.88: Logging Equipment Operators jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $45,170; the top 10% earn over $59,330.
  • Hourly equivalent: $26.81 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $74,210.
  • Among agriculture jobs in South Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Farming Fishing Forestry pays the most ($60,790).

Logging Equipment 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. Logging Equipment Operators here earn $55,770 on average, placing the state 10th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $55,770 is roughly equivalent to $64,103 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Idaho ($59,610), Louisiana ($57,400), Colorado ($56,440) are the closest alternatives for Logging Equipment 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 Logging Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota?

The average Logging Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota is $55,770 per year (median $58,740), which is 4.9% above the national average of $53,190.

How does South Dakota rank for Logging Equipment Operators pay?

South Dakota ranks 10th out of 36 states. The highest-paying state is California ($74,210/yr).

How much do entry-level Logging Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Logging Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn about $45,170 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,530.

How much do Logging Equipment Operators make per hour in South Dakota?

About $26.81 per hour, based on the $55,770 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Logging Equipment Operators work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 50 Logging Equipment Operators jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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