Materials Scientists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$63,808
- 25th Percentile — Junior$86,510
- 50th Percentile — Median$102,477
- 75th Percentile — Senior$137,589
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$157,911
Half of Materials Scientists in South Dakota earn more than $102,477. The top 10% make $157,911 or more, while entry-level workers start around $63,808.
Materials Scientists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS national data adjusted for cost of living
- South Dakota ranks 36th of 51 states for Materials Scientists pay, at $109,777 per year (13.0% below the U.S. average of $126,180).
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $63,808; the top 10% earn over $157,911.
- Hourly equivalent: $52.78 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $195,579.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Economists pays the most ($123,653).
Materials Scientists 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. Materials Scientists here earn $109,777 on average, placing the state 36th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $109,777 is roughly equivalent to $126,180 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, North Carolina ($110,700), Ohio ($110,640), Alabama ($109,777) are the closest alternatives for Materials Scientists weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Science Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Economists $123,653/yr South Dakota +12.6% vs this role
- Biochemists and Biophysicists $112,961/yr South Dakota +2.9% vs this role
- Physicists $108,270/yr South Dakota 1.4% vs this role
- Sociologists $99,980/yr South Dakota 8.9% vs this role
- Hydrologists $90,132/yr South Dakota 17.9% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota 18.8% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota 20.0% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota 23.6% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Materials Scientists salary in South Dakota?
The average Materials Scientists salary in South Dakota is $109,777 per year (median $102,477), which is 13.0% below the national average of $126,180.
How does South Dakota rank for Materials Scientists pay?
South Dakota ranks 36th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($195,579/yr).
How much do entry-level Materials Scientists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Materials Scientists in South Dakota earn about $63,808 per year and the 25th percentile is $86,510.
How much do Materials Scientists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $52.78 per hour, based on the $109,777 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
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