Light Truck Driver salary in South Dakota
Light Truck Drivers in South Dakota earn a median of $43,240 a year ($20.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,820 workers.
Pay ranges from $27,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,400 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $44,860. South Dakota ranks 35th of 51 states for light truck drivers pay. There are 11 light truck drivers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $44,100, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for light truck drivers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $27,520 | $13.23 |
| 25th percentile | $34,230 | $16.46 |
| Median | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| 75th percentile | $48,720 | $23.42 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,400 | $28.56 |
| Average (mean) | $44,100 | $21.20 |
Half of light truck drivers 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 | $3,603.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,801.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,663.08 |
| Weekly | $831.54 |
| Hourly | $20.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Light Truck Driver salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $43,250 | 800 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,080 | 440 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $42,890 | 2,080 |
Highest-paying states for light truck drivers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $57,190 |
| District of Columbia | $49,330 |
| Washington | $49,070 |
| Minnesota | $48,880 |
| Colorado | $48,410 |
| Maryland | $48,150 |
| Massachusetts | $48,110 |
| North Dakota | $47,950 |
| Illinois | $47,380 |
| Oregon | $47,150 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians | $29,190 | $14.04 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other | $53,790 | $25.86 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-3033. 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 light truck driver make in South Dakota?
The median salary for light truck drivers in South Dakota is $43,240 a year, or $20.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $27,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,400 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid light truck drivers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of light truck drivers in South Dakota earn at least $59,400 a year. The top 25% earn $48,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for light truck drivers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $27,520 a year, and a quarter of light truck drivers earn $34,230 or less.
How many light truck drivers work in South Dakota?
About 4,820 light truck drivers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.