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Crane and Tower Operators Salary in South Dakota

Crane and Tower Operators in South Dakota make a median of $70,400 a year, or about $33.85 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $92K for experienced workers.

Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.

$70K
Median annual
$33.85/hr
Hourly rate
$47K
Entry level (10th %)
$92K
Senior level (90th %)

So what does $70K get you in South Dakota?

Estimated monthly take-home$4,826/mo
Median 2BR rent-$1,017/mo
Rent as % of take-home21.1% (within guideline)
Cost-of-living adjusted salary$78,318/yr
Monthly remaining after rent$3,809/mo

About crane and tower operators

U.S. employed: 50
Category: Transportation

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Compensation breakdown

Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota

Bar chart showing Crane and Tower Operators salary percentiles in South Dakota: 10th percentile $46,770, 25th percentile $54,780, median $70,400, 75th percentile $78,240, 90th percentile $91,550. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.10th$47K25th$55KMedian$70K75th$78K90th$92K
Bar chart showing Crane and Tower Operators salary percentiles in South Dakota: 10th percentile $46,770, 25th percentile $54,780, median $70,400, 75th percentile $78,240, 90th percentile $91,550. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Entry-level crane and tower operators (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $70K. Top earners bring in $92K or more, a $45K spread from bottom to top.

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BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.

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Frequently asked questions

How much do crane and tower operators make in South Dakota?

The median is $70,400 a year, that works out to about $34 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,770, and experienced crane and tower operators can clear $91,550. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.

Is $70K enough to live in South Dakota?

On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,826/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 21.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.

How far does a crane and tower operators 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 crane and tower operators salary is worth about $78,318 in national-average purchasing power.

Where do crane and tower operators 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.

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