Commercial Pilot salary in South Dakota
Commercial Pilots in South Dakota earn a median of $83,710 a year, based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,840 for the top 10%. That is 32% lower than the national median of $123,220. South Dakota ranks 48th of 48 states for commercial pilots pay. There are 0.71 commercial pilots per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $94,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for commercial pilots in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,590 |
| 25th percentile | $59,420 |
| Median | $83,710 |
| 75th percentile | $113,430 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,840 |
| Average (mean) | $94,070 |
Half of commercial pilots 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 | $6,975.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,487.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,219.62 |
| Weekly | $1,609.81 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because commercial pilots are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Commercial Pilot salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $112,100 | 110 |
| Rapid City, SD | $86,150 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for commercial pilots
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $232,160 |
| New Jersey | $226,710 |
| New York | $177,430 |
| California | $165,590 |
| Delaware | $163,600 |
| Ohio | $150,330 |
| Georgia | $145,100 |
| Colorado | $139,680 |
| Texas | $137,960 |
| Vermont | $137,810 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Airfield Operations Specialist | $37,860 | $18.20 |
| 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 53-2012. 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 commercial pilot make in South Dakota?
The median salary for commercial pilots in South Dakota is $83,710 a year. Pay ranges from $51,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid commercial pilots make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of commercial pilots in South Dakota earn at least $157,840 a year. The top 25% earn $113,430 or more.
What is the starting pay for commercial pilots in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,590 a year, and a quarter of commercial pilots earn $59,420 or less.
How many commercial pilots work in South Dakota?
About 320 commercial pilots are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.