School Bus Monitor salary in South Dakota
School Bus Monitors in South Dakota earn a median of $34,380 a year ($16.53 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $32,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,650 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $35,100. South Dakota ranks 27th of 50 states for school bus monitors pay. There are 0.30 school bus monitors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.59). The average (mean) salary is $34,330, close to the median.
Pay range for school bus monitors in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $32,820 | $15.78 |
| 25th percentile | $32,820 | $15.78 |
| Median | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| 75th percentile | $35,000 | $16.83 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $35,650 | $17.14 |
| Average (mean) | $34,330 | $16.51 |
Half of school bus monitors 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 | $2,865 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,432.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,322.31 |
| Weekly | $661.15 |
| Hourly | $16.53 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
School Bus Monitor salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $35,000 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for school bus monitors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $42,330 |
| District of Columbia | $41,720 |
| Oregon | $40,900 |
| Hawaii | $40,250 |
| Vermont | $39,020 |
| Maryland | $38,750 |
| Minnesota | $38,590 |
| North Dakota | $38,480 |
| California | $38,360 |
| Maine | $38,060 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Security Guard | $37,150 | $17.86 |
| Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers | $30,990 | $14.90 |
| Protective Service Workers, All Other | $42,260 | $20.32 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators | $33,820 | $16.26 |
| Crossing Guards and Flaggers | $46,940 | $22.57 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | $44,840 | $21.56 |
| Transportation Security Screener | $55,530 | $26.70 |
| Animal Control Worker | $45,530 | $21.89 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,740 | $29.20 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $53,040 | $25.50 |
| Firefighter | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $77,730 | $37.37 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $87,810 | $42.22 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers | $72,420 | $34.82 |
More: Protective Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 33-9094. 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 school bus monitor make in South Dakota?
The median salary for school bus monitors in South Dakota is $34,380 a year, or $16.53 an hour. Pay ranges from $32,820 for the lowest-paid 10% to $35,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid school bus monitors make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of school bus monitors in South Dakota earn at least $35,650 a year. The top 25% earn $35,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for school bus monitors in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $32,820 a year, and a quarter of school bus monitors earn $32,820 or less.
How many school bus monitors work in South Dakota?
About 140 school bus monitors are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.