Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in South Dakota
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $59,500 a year ($28.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,050 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,880 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $59,850. South Dakota ranks 31st of 51 states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators pay. There are 4.5 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,330, close to the median.
Pay range for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,260 | $22.72 |
| 25th percentile | $50,690 | $24.37 |
| Median | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| 75th percentile | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,880 | $36.48 |
| Average (mean) | $59,330 | $28.53 |
Half of operating engineers and other construction 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 | $4,958.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,479.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,288.46 |
| Weekly | $1,144.23 |
| Hourly | $28.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,960 | 630 |
| Rapid City, SD | $60,660 | 410 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,140 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $115,860 |
| Illinois | $97,740 |
| New Jersey | $89,660 |
| California | $87,160 |
| Washington | $81,700 |
| New York | $80,980 |
| Indiana | $79,580 |
| Minnesota | $79,130 |
| Connecticut | $78,750 |
| Alaska | $77,810 |
See Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Roofer | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Glazier | $47,140 | $22.66 |
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 47-2073. 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 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in South Dakota?
The median salary for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Dakota is $59,500 a year, or $28.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,880 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid operating engineers and other construction equipment operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Dakota earn at least $75,880 a year. The top 25% earn $63,460 or more.
What is the starting pay for operating engineers and other construction equipment operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,260 a year, and a quarter of operating engineers and other construction equipment operators earn $50,690 or less.
How many operating engineers and other construction equipment operators work in South Dakota?
About 2,050 operating engineers and other construction equipment operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.