Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in South Dakota
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $61,570 a year ($29.60 an hour), based on BLS data for 210 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,280 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $58,470. South Dakota ranks 2nd of 51 states for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.67). The average (mean) salary is $62,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,880 | $23.50 |
| 25th percentile | $55,350 | $26.61 |
| Median | $61,570 | $29.60 |
| 75th percentile | $71,930 | $34.58 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,280 | $36.19 |
| Average (mean) | $62,850 | $30.22 |
Half of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine 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 | $5,130.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,565.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,368.08 |
| Weekly | $1,184.04 |
| Hourly | $29.60 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,530 | 140 |
Highest-paying states for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $66,750 |
| South Dakota | $61,570 |
| Iowa | $60,530 |
| New Jersey | $60,530 |
| Wyoming | $60,530 |
| North Dakota | $59,840 |
| Minnesota | $59,740 |
| California | $59,490 |
| Hawaii | $59,490 |
| Maine | $59,490 |
See Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks | $43,680 | $21.00 |
| Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance | $43,920 | $21.12 |
| Postal Service Mail Carrier | $60,760 | $29.21 |
| Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks | $50,530 | $24.29 |
| Public Safety Telecommunicator | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Postal Service Clerk | $58,470 | $28.11 |
| Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping | $44,430 | $21.36 |
| Cargo and Freight Agents | $64,340 | $30.94 |
| Couriers and Messengers | $31,650 | $15.22 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | $46,340 | $22.28 |
| Customer Service Representative | $40,650 | $19.54 |
| Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Receptionists and Information Clerks | $38,280 | $18.40 |
| Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks | $30,550 | $14.69 |
More: Office and Administrative Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 43-5053. 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 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in South Dakota?
The median salary for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in South Dakota is $61,570 a year, or $29.60 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,880 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in South Dakota earn at least $75,280 a year. The top 25% earn $71,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,880 a year, and a quarter of postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators earn $55,350 or less.
How many postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators work in South Dakota?
About 210 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.