Heavy equipment operator salary in South Dakota

Heavy equipment operators in South Dakota earn a median $59,500 a year. That's 1% below the national median, ranking South Dakota #30 of 50 states.

Median pay
$59,500
Median hourly
$28.61
Typical range
$47,260–$75,880
Jobs
2,050

Pay range

Annual pay percentiles for heavy equipment operators in South Dakota
PercentileAnnual payU.S.
10th (entry level)$47,260$42,190
25th$50,690$48,680
Median$59,500$59,850
75th$63,460$77,170
90th (top earners)$75,880$101,090

Compare other states

  1. 1Hawaii$115,860
  2. 2Illinois$97,740
  3. 3New Jersey$89,660
  4. 4California$87,160
  5. 5Washington$81,700
  6. 6New York$80,980
  7. 7Indiana$79,580
  8. 8Minnesota$79,130
  9. 9Connecticut$78,750
  10. 10Alaska$77,810
  11. 11Massachusetts$76,820
  12. 12Wisconsin$75,280
  13. –District of Columbia$74,610
  14. 13Oregon$73,430
  15. 14Nevada$71,410
  16. 15Ohio$64,940
  17. 16Rhode Island$63,610
  18. 17Wyoming$62,960
  19. 18Michigan$62,690
  20. 19Colorado$62,620
  21. 20New Hampshire$62,200
  22. 21North Dakota$62,150
  23. 22Idaho$61,680
  24. 23Montana$61,580
  25. 24Maryland$61,410
  26. 25Utah$60,740
  27. 26Arizona$60,620
  28. 27Missouri$60,540
  29. 28Pennsylvania$60,530
  30. 29Iowa$60,330
  31. 30South Dakota$59,500
  32. 31Vermont$58,870
  33. 32Nebraska$58,360
  34. 33Delaware$58,020
  35. 34Kentucky$57,780
  36. 35Virginia$57,160
  37. 36Maine$56,140
  38. 37New Mexico$52,000
  39. 38Tennessee$52,000
  40. 39Louisiana$51,700
  41. 40Kansas$51,620
  42. 41West Virginia$51,300
  43. 42Texas$50,460
  44. 43Florida$49,400
  45. 44North Carolina$49,310
  46. 45South Carolina$48,940
  47. 46Oklahoma$47,970
  48. 47Georgia$47,880
  49. 48Alabama$47,520
  50. 49Mississippi$47,410
  51. 50Arkansas$44,520
  52. –Puerto Rico$29,810

Start training

See what the work is like and how long training takes, then compare schools in South Dakota.

Heavy equipment operator schoolsHow to become a heavy equipment operator

Frequently asked questions

How much do heavy equipment operators make in South Dakota?

The median pay for heavy equipment operators in South Dakota is $59,500 a year ($28.61 an hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,260, and the top 10% earn over $75,880.

Is South Dakota a good state for heavy equipment operators?

South Dakota ranks #30 of 50 states for median heavy equipment operator pay, 1% below the national median of $59,850. Living costs vary a lot by state, so compare pay with local housing costs.

How can a heavy equipment operator earn more?

Pay rises with experience, certifications, specialized skills, overtime and willingness to travel. Union jobs and employers in high-cost metro areas often pay more. Our guide on how to become a heavy equipment operator covers the certifications that matter most.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators, SOC 47-2073). Figures exclude self-employed workers.