Interpreters and Translators salary in South Dakota
Interpreters and Translators in South Dakota earn a median of $53,140 a year ($25.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 230 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,320 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $60,170. South Dakota ranks 28th of 47 states for interpreters and translators pay. There are 0.50 interpreters and translators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,360, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for interpreters and translators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 25th percentile | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Median | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| 75th percentile | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,320 | $36.21 |
| Average (mean) | $56,360 | $27.10 |
Half of interpreters and translators 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 | $4,428.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,214.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,043.85 |
| Weekly | $1,021.92 |
| Hourly | $25.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Interpreters and Translators salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $53,140 | 130 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,420 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for interpreters and translators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $109,970 |
| Maryland | $88,550 |
| New York | $84,090 |
| Rhode Island | $82,320 |
| Massachusetts | $72,750 |
| Colorado | $71,790 |
| California | $70,770 |
| Connecticut | $68,340 |
| Minnesota | $66,410 |
| Oregon | $66,300 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys | $40,630 | $19.53 |
| Public Relations Specialist | $64,520 | $31.02 |
| News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists | $43,520 | $20.92 |
| Editor | $56,730 | $27.28 |
| Technical Writer | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| Writers and Authors | $56,700 | $27.26 |
| Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners | $75,210 | $36.16 |
| Coaches and Scouts | $36,360 | — |
| Graphic Designer | $48,390 | $23.26 |
| Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers | $40,190 | $19.32 |
| Choreographer | $40,320 | $19.39 |
| Commercial and Industrial Designers | $60,110 | $28.90 |
| Floral Designer | $33,910 | $16.30 |
| Photographer | $45,330 | $21.79 |
More: Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 27-3091. 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 interpreters and translators make in South Dakota?
The median salary for interpreters and translators in South Dakota is $53,140 a year, or $25.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,320 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid interpreters and translators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of interpreters and translators in South Dakota earn at least $75,320 a year. The top 25% earn $65,210 or more.
What is the starting pay for interpreters and translators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,730 a year, and a quarter of interpreters and translators earn $47,040 or less.
How many interpreters and translators work in South Dakota?
About 230 interpreters and translators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.