Airfield Operations Specialist salary in South Dakota
Airfield Operations Specialists in South Dakota earn a median of $37,860 a year ($18.20 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $30,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,560 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $56,850. South Dakota ranks 30th of 35 states for airfield operations specialists pay. There are 0.43 airfield operations specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $40,240, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for airfield operations specialists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $30,460 | $14.64 |
| 25th percentile | $31,200 | $15.00 |
| Median | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 75th percentile | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| Average (mean) | $40,240 | $19.35 |
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 | $3,155 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,577.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,456.15 |
| Weekly | $728.08 |
| Hourly | $18.20 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Airfield Operations Specialist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $37,940 | 60 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot | $83,710 | — |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for airfield operations specialists in South Dakota is $37,860 a year, or $18.20 an hour. Pay ranges from $30,460 for the lowest-paid 10% to $49,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid airfield operations specialists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of airfield operations specialists in South Dakota earn at least $49,560 a year. The top 25% earn $46,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for airfield operations specialists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $30,460 a year, and a quarter of airfield operations specialists earn $31,200 or less.
How many airfield operations specialists work in South Dakota?
About 190 airfield operations specialists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.