Airfield Operations Specialist salary in Rapid City, SD
Airfield Operations Specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $37,940 a year ($18.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,320 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $56,850. Pay here is about the same as the South Dakota statewide median of $37,860. There are 0.87 airfield operations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,720, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for airfield operations specialists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| 25th percentile | $35,260 | $16.95 |
| Median | $37,940 | $18.24 |
| 75th percentile | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Average (mean) | $40,720 | $19.58 |
Half of airfield operations specialists 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 | $3,161.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,580.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,459.23 |
| Weekly | $729.62 |
| Hourly | $18.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Airfield Operations Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $31,200 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for airfield operations specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Kentucky | $123,290 |
| Washington | $84,050 |
| Alabama | $78,590 |
| Arizona | $77,570 |
| Colorado | $77,500 |
| Oregon | $75,130 |
| Virginia | $72,250 |
| Alaska | $71,510 |
| New Mexico | $69,090 |
| Georgia | $66,790 |
See Airfield Operations Specialist pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $86,150 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,250 | $20.80 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,110 | $28.42 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,890 | $16.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,660 | $29.17 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,930 | $22.08 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $40,330 | $19.39 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,780 | $22.49 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $35,960 | $17.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $27,800 | $13.37 |
| Parking Attendant | $35,600 | $17.12 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-2022. 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 airfield operations specialist make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for airfield operations specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $37,940 a year, or $18.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid airfield operations specialists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of airfield operations specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $49,320 a year. The top 25% earn $48,140 or more.
What is the starting pay for airfield operations specialists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,460 a year, and a quarter of airfield operations specialists earn $35,260 or less.
How many airfield operations specialists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 60 airfield operations specialists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.