Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$53,410
- 25th Percentile — Junior$56,970
- 50th Percentile — Median$65,890
- 75th Percentile — Senior$78,830
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$87,640
Half of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in South Dakota earn more than $65,890. The top 10% make $87,640 or more, while entry-level workers start around $53,410.
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 40th of 47 states for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay, at $69,120 per year (16.7% below the U.S. average of $83,020).
- 170 people work as Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in South Dakota — 0.9% of all U.S. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs.
- Location quotient 3.24: Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $53,410; the top 10% earn over $87,640.
- Hourly equivalent: $33.23 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $117,980.
- Among science jobs in South Dakota, Physicists pays the most ($108,270).
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 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. Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists here earn $69,120 on average, placing the state 40th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $69,120 is roughly equivalent to $79,448 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Minnesota ($71,910), Arizona ($71,270), Wisconsin ($70,880) are the closest alternatives for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists 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
- Physicists $108,270/yr South Dakota +56.6% vs this role
- Atmospheric and Space Scientists $89,140/yr South Dakota +29.0% vs this role
- Food Scientists and Technologists $87,850/yr South Dakota +27.1% vs this role
- Medical Scientists $83,870/yr South Dakota +21.3% vs this role
- Animal Scientists $79,940/yr South Dakota +15.7% vs this role
- Soil and Plant Scientists $79,240/yr South Dakota +14.6% vs this role
- Conservation Scientists $76,060/yr South Dakota +10.0% vs this role
- Microbiologists $75,990/yr South Dakota +9.9% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in South Dakota?
The average Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists salary in South Dakota is $69,120 per year (median $65,890), which is 16.7% below the national average of $83,020.
How does South Dakota rank for Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists pay?
South Dakota ranks 40th out of 47 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($117,980/yr).
How much do entry-level Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists in South Dakota earn about $53,410 per year and the 25th percentile is $56,970.
How much do Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists make per hour in South Dakota?
About $33.23 per hour, based on the $69,120 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 170 Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
Related Salary Pages
Explore more salary data