Transportation Inspector salary in South Dakota
Transportation Inspectors in South Dakota earn a median of $70,080 a year ($33.69 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,130 for the top 10%. That is 24% lower than the national median of $92,100. South Dakota ranks 31st of 44 states for transportation inspectors pay. There are 0.22 transportation inspectors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $77,050, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for transportation inspectors in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,340 | $22.76 |
| 25th percentile | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Median | $70,080 | $33.69 |
| 75th percentile | $92,900 | $44.66 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $141,130 | $67.85 |
| Average (mean) | $77,050 | $37.05 |
Half of transportation inspectors 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 | $5,840 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,920 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,695.38 |
| Weekly | $1,347.69 |
| Hourly | $33.69 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for transportation inspectors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $123,120 |
| Iowa | $116,850 |
| Oklahoma | $111,070 |
| Hawaii | $108,270 |
| Alabama | $108,140 |
| North Dakota | $106,330 |
| Washington | $104,250 |
| Kansas | $103,380 |
| Florida | $101,470 |
| Texas | $101,440 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $36,050 | $17.33 |
| Parking Attendant | $34,220 | $16.45 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,310 | $17.46 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-6051. 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 transportation inspector make in South Dakota?
The median salary for transportation inspectors in South Dakota is $70,080 a year, or $33.69 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $141,130 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid transportation inspectors make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of transportation inspectors in South Dakota earn at least $141,130 a year. The top 25% earn $92,900 or more.
What is the starting pay for transportation inspectors in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,340 a year, and a quarter of transportation inspectors earn $48,980 or less.
How many transportation inspectors work in South Dakota?
About 100 transportation inspectors are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.