Biological Technician salary in South Dakota
Biological Technicians in South Dakota earn a median of $41,300 a year ($19.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,620 for the top 10%. That is 28% lower than the national median of $57,510. South Dakota ranks 51st of 51 states for biological technicians pay. There are 0.49 biological technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $46,460, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for biological technicians in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| 25th percentile | $40,720 | $19.58 |
| Median | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| 75th percentile | $51,930 | $24.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,620 | $27.22 |
| Average (mean) | $46,460 | $22.34 |
Half of biological technicians 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 | $3,441.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,720.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,588.46 |
| Weekly | $794.23 |
| Hourly | $19.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for biological technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $71,440 |
| New Jersey | $66,040 |
| District of Columbia | $64,770 |
| Connecticut | $62,360 |
| Massachusetts | $62,070 |
| North Carolina | $61,720 |
| New York | $61,210 |
| Washington | $60,800 |
| Maine | $60,160 |
| Colorado | $59,400 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Food Science Technician | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4021. 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 biological technician make in South Dakota?
The median salary for biological technicians in South Dakota is $41,300 a year, or $19.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid biological technicians make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of biological technicians in South Dakota earn at least $56,620 a year. The top 25% earn $51,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for biological technicians in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,170 a year, and a quarter of biological technicians earn $40,720 or less.
How many biological technicians work in South Dakota?
About 230 biological technicians are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.