Forest and Conservation Workers salary in South Dakota
Forest and Conservation Workers in South Dakota earn a median of $38,210 a year ($18.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 490 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,640 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $43,680. South Dakota ranks 16th of 27 states for forest and conservation workers pay. There are 1.1 forest and conservation workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 27.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for forest and conservation workers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| 25th percentile | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Median | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 75th percentile | $44,690 | $21.48 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $50,640 | $24.35 |
| Average (mean) | $41,060 | $19.74 |
Half of forest and conservation workers 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 | $3,184.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,592.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,469.62 |
| Weekly | $734.81 |
| Hourly | $18.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Forest and Conservation Workers salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $50,110 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $37,470 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for forest and conservation workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Idaho | $59,460 |
| Hawaii | $56,330 |
| Virginia | $54,560 |
| Massachusetts | $51,890 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,250 |
| Ohio | $48,470 |
| Arkansas | $47,310 |
| Oregon | $46,010 |
| Washington | $44,430 |
| South Carolina | $44,050 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Logging Equipment Operator | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products | $39,900 | $19.18 |
| Agricultural Equipment Operator | $48,060 | $23.11 |
| Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers | $57,880 | $27.83 |
| Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals | $38,000 | $18.27 |
| Animal Breeder | $44,850 | $21.56 |
More: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 45-4011. 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 workers make in South Dakota?
The median salary for forest and conservation workers in South Dakota is $38,210 a year, or $18.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,380 for the lowest-paid 10% to $50,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid forest and conservation workers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of forest and conservation workers in South Dakota earn at least $50,640 a year. The top 25% earn $44,690 or more.
What is the starting pay for forest and conservation workers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,380 a year, and a quarter of forest and conservation workers earn $37,470 or less.
How many forest and conservation workers work in South Dakota?
About 490 forest and conservation workers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.