Forest and Conservation Technicians salary in South Dakota
Forest and Conservation Technicians in South Dakota earn a median of $54,770 a year ($26.33 an hour), based on BLS data for 350 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,990 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $54,560. South Dakota ranks 16th of 45 states for forest and conservation technicians pay. There are 0.76 forest and conservation technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,160, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forest and conservation technicians in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,530 | $20.93 |
| 25th percentile | $47,940 | $23.05 |
| Median | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| 75th percentile | $71,410 | $34.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,990 | $39.90 |
| Average (mean) | $60,160 | $28.92 |
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 | $4,564.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,282.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,106.54 |
| Weekly | $1,053.27 |
| Hourly | $26.33 |
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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $65,670 | 30 |
| Rapid City, SD | $57,660 | 120 |
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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| 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 19-4071. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for forest and conservation technicians in South Dakota is $54,770 a year, or $26.33 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest and conservation technicians make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of forest and conservation technicians in South Dakota earn at least $82,990 a year. The top 25% earn $71,410 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest and conservation technicians in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,530 a year, and a quarter of forest and conservation technicians earn $47,940 or less.
How many forest and conservation technicians work in South Dakota?
About 350 forest and conservation technicians are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.