Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in South Dakota
Plant and System Operators, All Other in South Dakota earn a median of $57,430 a year ($27.61 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,720 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $62,470. South Dakota ranks 33rd of 44 states for plant and system operators, all other pay. There are 0.41 plant and system operators, all other per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $56,320, close to the median.
Pay range for plant and system operators, all other in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,700 | $21.01 |
| 25th percentile | $46,140 | $22.18 |
| Median | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| 75th percentile | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,720 | $35.44 |
| Average (mean) | $56,320 | $27.08 |
Half of plant and system operators, all other 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 | $4,785.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,392.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,208.85 |
| Weekly | $1,104.42 |
| Hourly | $27.61 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Plant and System Operators, All Other salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $62,190 | 30 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,650 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for plant and system operators, all other
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $120,660 |
| Washington | $88,730 |
| Minnesota | $88,290 |
| Maryland | $81,890 |
| Montana | $81,340 |
| Nevada | $80,000 |
| California | $78,020 |
| Illinois | $77,780 |
| Iowa | $75,800 |
| New York | $74,700 |
See Plant and System Operators, All Other pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $68,090 | $32.74 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,180 | $20.76 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8099. 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 plant and system operators, all other make in South Dakota?
The median salary for plant and system operators, all other in South Dakota is $57,430 a year, or $27.61 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,700 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,720 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid plant and system operators, all other make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of plant and system operators, all other in South Dakota earn at least $73,720 a year. The top 25% earn $61,800 or more.
What is the starting pay for plant and system operators, all other in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,700 a year, and a quarter of plant and system operators, all other earn $46,140 or less.
How many plant and system operators, all other work in South Dakota?
About 190 plant and system operators, all other are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.