Logging Equipment Operator salary in South Dakota
Logging Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $58,740 a year ($28.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,330 for the top 10%. That is 18% higher than the national median of $49,740. South Dakota ranks 5th of 36 states for logging equipment operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.12 logging equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,770, close to the median.
Pay range for logging equipment operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,170 | $21.72 |
| 25th percentile | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| Median | $58,740 | $28.24 |
| 75th percentile | $59,130 | $28.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $59,330 | $28.52 |
| Average (mean) | $55,770 | $26.81 |
Half of logging equipment operators 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 | $4,895 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,447.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,259.23 |
| Weekly | $1,129.62 |
| Hourly | $28.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for logging equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $75,140 |
| Illinois | $71,100 |
| Texas | $62,890 |
| California | $61,940 |
| South Dakota | $58,740 |
| Oregon | $58,720 |
| Louisiana | $58,600 |
| Minnesota | $58,590 |
| Montana | $56,530 |
| Idaho | $56,490 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Forest and Conservation Workers | $38,210 | $18.37 |
| 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 45-4022. 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 logging equipment operator make in South Dakota?
The median salary for logging equipment operators in South Dakota is $58,740 a year, or $28.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $45,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $59,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid logging equipment operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of logging equipment operators in South Dakota earn at least $59,330 a year. The top 25% earn $59,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for logging equipment operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,170 a year, and a quarter of logging equipment operators earn $48,530 or less.
How many logging equipment operators work in South Dakota?
About 50 logging equipment operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.