verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Heavy Equipment Operator Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$59,500/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$28.61/hr
▼ 1% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
2,050
public U.S. Median
$59,850
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$67,166 #20 of 51

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in South Dakota, explained

Heavy equipment operators in South Dakota earn a median of $59,500 per year ($28.61 per hour), which is 1% below the national median of $59,850. Entry-level workers earn around $47,260, while the most experienced heavy equipment operators reach about $75,880. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $59,500 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $59,500 is worth about $67,166 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #20 for real pay (vs #31 on the sticker number).

See the full Heavy Equipment Operator Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Heavy Equipment Operator pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$47,260
$22.72/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$59,500
$28.61/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$75,880
$36.48/hr

Heavy Equipment Operator pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $59,500 $67,166
Minnesota $79,130 $80,236 −$19,630
Wyoming $62,960 $67,925 −$3,460
North Dakota $62,150 $69,864 −$2,650
Montana $61,580 $65,064 −$2,080
Iowa $60,330 $68,743 −$830
Nebraska $58,360 $64,770 +$1,140

Heavy Equipment Operator in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do heavy equipment operators make in South Dakota?

Heavy equipment operators in South Dakota earn a median of $59,500 per year ($28.61 per hour), compared with $59,850 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay heavy equipment operators well?

At $59,500, South Dakota pays 1% below the national median for heavy equipment operators. An estimated 2,050 work in the state.

Heavy Equipment Operator salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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