Machinist salary in South Dakota
Machinists in South Dakota earn a median of $50,890 a year ($24.47 an hour), based on BLS data for 830 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,840 for the top 10%. That is 13% lower than the national median of $58,750. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for machinists pay. There are 1.8 machinists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for machinists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,280 | $18.88 |
| 25th percentile | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Median | $50,890 | $24.47 |
| 75th percentile | $58,750 | $28.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Average (mean) | $51,860 | $24.93 |
Half of machinists 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 | $4,240.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,120.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,957.31 |
| Weekly | $978.65 |
| Hourly | $24.47 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Machinist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $56,350 | 80 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $52,000 | 160 |
| Rapid City, SD | $47,840 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for machinists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $84,410 |
| Alaska | $77,670 |
| District of Columbia | $72,900 |
| Massachusetts | $67,270 |
| Washington | $66,160 |
| Oregon | $63,820 |
| New Jersey | $63,190 |
| Wyoming | $63,070 |
| Vermont | $62,680 |
| Delaware | $62,650 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4041. 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 machinist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for machinists in South Dakota is $50,890 a year, or $24.47 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,280 for the lowest-paid 10% to $60,840 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid machinists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of machinists in South Dakota earn at least $60,840 a year. The top 25% earn $58,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for machinists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,280 a year, and a quarter of machinists earn $46,280 or less.
How many machinists work in South Dakota?
About 830 machinists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.