Chemist salary in South Dakota
Chemists in South Dakota earn a median of $67,440 a year ($32.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,030 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $91,240. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for chemists pay. There are 0.38 chemists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.70). The average (mean) salary is $72,750, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for chemists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,270 | $24.65 |
| 25th percentile | $58,940 | $28.34 |
| Median | $67,440 | $32.42 |
| 75th percentile | $83,590 | $40.19 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,030 | $48.57 |
| Average (mean) | $72,750 | $34.98 |
Half of chemists 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 | $5,620 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,810 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,593.85 |
| Weekly | $1,296.92 |
| Hourly | $32.42 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Chemist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $83,220 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for chemists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $149,860 |
| Maryland | $140,670 |
| Delaware | $129,860 |
| New Mexico | $126,960 |
| Massachusetts | $125,000 |
| Alaska | $106,010 |
| Oregon | $104,590 |
| Louisiana | $103,890 |
| Wyoming | $102,000 |
| Colorado | $101,980 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Physicist | $83,050 | $39.93 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
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 19-2031. 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 chemist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for chemists in South Dakota is $67,440 a year, or $32.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of chemists in South Dakota earn at least $101,030 a year. The top 25% earn $83,590 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,270 a year, and a quarter of chemists earn $58,940 or less.
How many chemists work in South Dakota?
About 170 chemists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.