Commercial Pilots Salary in South Dakota
Commercial Pilots in South Dakota make a median of $75,740 a year, or about $null an hour. The range runs from $50K at the entry level to $154K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $76K get you in South Dakota?
About commercial pilots
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level commercial pilots (10th percentile) start around $50K. Mid-career wages sit at $76K. Top earners bring in $154K or more, a $104K spread from bottom to top.
Commercial Pilots salary by metro in South Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $100K | +32% | 90 |
| Rapid City | $73K | -4% | 40 |
Compare to other states
Track commercial pilots salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
How much do commercial pilots make in South Dakota?
The median is $75,740 a year, that works out to about $0 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,770, and experienced commercial pilots can clear $153,600. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $76K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $5,139/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 19.8% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a commercial pilots salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median commercial pilots salary is worth about $84,259 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do commercial pilots get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.