Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in South Dakota
Agricultural Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $48,060 a year ($23.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 240 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,250 for the top 10%. That is 15% higher than the national median of $41,730. South Dakota ranks 8th of 40 states for agricultural equipment operators pay. There are 0.52 agricultural equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $47,470, close to the median.
Pay range for agricultural equipment operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,480 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Median | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| 75th percentile | $49,120 | $23.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,250 | $25.60 |
| Average (mean) | $47,470 | $22.82 |
Half of agricultural equipment operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,005 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,002.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,848.46 |
| Weekly | $924.23 |
| Hourly | $23.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Agricultural Equipment Operator salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,990 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $46,970 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for agricultural equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Montana | $58,770 |
| Louisiana | $58,520 |
| New York | $50,020 |
| Delaware | $49,910 |
| Massachusetts | $49,150 |
| Minnesota | $48,520 |
| North Dakota | $48,080 |
| South Dakota | $48,060 |
| Virginia | $47,890 |
| Iowa | $47,220 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Animal Breeder | $44,850 | $21.56 |
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Logging Equipment Operator | $58,740 | $28.24 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-2091. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a agricultural equipment operator make in South Dakota?
The median salary for agricultural equipment operators in South Dakota is $48,060 a year, or $23.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $53,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid agricultural equipment operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of agricultural equipment operators in South Dakota earn at least $53,250 a year. The top 25% earn $49,120 or more.
What is the starting pay for agricultural equipment operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,480 a year, and a quarter of agricultural equipment operators earn $43,880 or less.
How many agricultural equipment operators work in South Dakota?
About 240 agricultural equipment operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.