Highway Maintenance Worker salary in South Dakota
Highway Maintenance Workers in South Dakota earn a median of $48,610 a year ($23.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,800 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,490 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $50,260. South Dakota ranks 29th of 49 states for highway maintenance workers pay. There are 3.9 highway maintenance workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $50,470, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for highway maintenance workers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,030 | $18.76 |
| 25th percentile | $46,220 | $22.22 |
| Median | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| 75th percentile | $57,200 | $27.50 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,490 | $29.56 |
| Average (mean) | $50,470 | $24.26 |
Half of highway maintenance 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 | $4,050.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,025.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,869.62 |
| Weekly | $934.81 |
| Hourly | $23.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highway Maintenance Worker salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $57,760 | 180 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $52,540 | 290 |
| Rapid City, SD | $49,490 | 190 |
Highest-paying states for highway maintenance workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Oregon | $65,330 |
| Washington | $65,300 |
| Connecticut | $64,870 |
| Minnesota | $63,150 |
| Illinois | $61,700 |
| Massachusetts | $61,500 |
| Montana | $60,960 |
| North Dakota | $60,630 |
| California | $59,580 |
| Iowa | $58,490 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Construction and Building Inspectors | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Hazardous Materials Removal Worker | $51,420 | $24.72 |
| Fence Erector | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners | $40,040 | $19.25 |
| Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators | $64,500 | $31.01 |
| Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers | $116,320 | $55.92 |
| Carpenter | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-4051. 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 highway maintenance worker make in South Dakota?
The median salary for highway maintenance workers in South Dakota is $48,610 a year, or $23.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,030 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,490 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid highway maintenance workers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of highway maintenance workers in South Dakota earn at least $61,490 a year. The top 25% earn $57,200 or more.
What is the starting pay for highway maintenance workers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,030 a year, and a quarter of highway maintenance workers earn $46,220 or less.
How many highway maintenance workers work in South Dakota?
About 1,800 highway maintenance workers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.