Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,260
- 25th Percentile — Junior$50,690
- 50th Percentile — Median$59,500
- 75th Percentile — Senior$63,460
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$75,880
Half of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn more than $59,500. The top 10% make $75,880 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,260.
Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 33rd of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay, at $59,330 per year (10.5% below the U.S. average of $66,290).
- 2,050 people work as Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Dakota — 0.4% of all U.S. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs.
- Location quotient 1.46: Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,260; the top 10% earn over $75,880.
- Hourly equivalent: $28.52 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Hawaii at $102,020.
- Among construction jobs in South Dakota, First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades pays the most ($78,970).
Operating Engineers and 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. Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators here earn $59,330 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 $59,330 is roughly equivalent to $68,195 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Arizona ($61,520), Utah ($60,840), Delaware ($60,690) are the closest alternatives for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Construction Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades $78,970/yr South Dakota +33.1% vs this role
- Construction and Building Inspectors $67,260/yr South Dakota +13.4% vs this role
- Electricians $61,980/yr South Dakota +4.5% vs this role
- Pipelayers $61,370/yr South Dakota +3.4% vs this role
- Brickmasons and Blockmasons $61,030/yr South Dakota +2.9% vs this role
- Structural Iron and Steel Workers $56,500/yr South Dakota 4.8% vs this role
- Plumbers Pipefitters and Steamfitters $55,530/yr South Dakota 6.4% vs this role
- Sheet Metal Workers $54,140/yr South Dakota 8.7% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota?
The average Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota is $59,330 per year (median $59,500), which is 10.5% below the national average of $66,290.
How does South Dakota rank for Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators pay?
South Dakota ranks 33rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Hawaii ($102,020/yr).
How much do entry-level Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn about $47,260 per year and the 25th percentile is $50,690.
How much do Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators make per hour in South Dakota?
About $28.52 per hour, based on the $59,330 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 2,050 Operating Engineers and Equipment Operators jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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