Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining Salary in South Dakota
In South Dakota, excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings earn $51,920 at the median, or about $24.96 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $64K 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 $52K get you in South Dakota?
About excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K. Top earners bring in $64K or more, a $18K spread from bottom to top.
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining 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 | $52K | -0% | 40 |
| Rapid City | $51K | -2% | 30 |
Compare to other states
Track excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings make in South Dakota?
The median is $51,920 a year, that works out to about $25 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $45,460, and experienced excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings can clear $63,540. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,646/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 27.9% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining 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 excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface mining salary is worth about $57,759 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do excavating and loading machine and dragline operators, surface minings 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.