Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in Rapid City, SD
Forest and Conservation Technicians in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $57,660 a year ($27.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,530 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $54,560. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $54,770. There are 1.6 forest and conservation technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 8.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,480, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forest and conservation technicians in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,950 | $21.61 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $57,660 | $27.72 |
| 75th percentile | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $86,530 | $41.60 |
| Average (mean) | $63,480 | $30.52 |
Half of forest and conservation 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 | $4,805 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,402.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,217.69 |
| Weekly | $1,108.85 |
| Hourly | $27.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $65,670 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for forest and conservation technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| North Dakota | $68,600 |
| Alaska | $68,160 |
| Maryland | $64,980 |
| Wisconsin | $62,700 |
| Louisiana | $59,370 |
| Minnesota | $58,990 |
| California | $58,120 |
| New York | $58,030 |
| Colorado | $57,550 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,370 |
See Forest and Conservation Technicians pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $104,380 | $50.18 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,260 | $32.82 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $86,160 | $41.42 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,310 | $35.25 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $68,100 | $32.74 |
| Conservation Scientist | $70,450 | $33.87 |
| Forester | $63,210 | $30.39 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $63,720 | $30.64 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-4071. 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 forest and conservation technicians make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for forest and conservation technicians in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $57,660 a year, or $27.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $86,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest and conservation technicians make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of forest and conservation technicians in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $86,530 a year. The top 25% earn $73,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest and conservation technicians in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,950 a year, and a quarter of forest and conservation technicians earn $47,940 or less.
How many forest and conservation technicians work in Rapid City, SD?
About 120 forest and conservation technicians are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.