Forest and Conservation Technicians Salary
Forest and Conservation Technicians in South Dakota make a median of $54,770 a year, or about $26.33 an hour. The range runs from $44K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $60,930 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 26.7% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $55K get you in South Dakota?
About forest and conservation technicians
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What this looks like in South Dakota
Forest and conservation technicians pay in South Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $55K locally vs. $55K nationwide, a 0% difference. Rent runs $1,017/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 26.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Pay and costs are both near average, leaving limited margin for savings at the median wage.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level forest and conservation technicians (10th percentile) start around $44K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K. Top earners bring in $83K or more, a $39K spread from bottom to top.
Forest and Conservation Technicians 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 | $66K | +20% | 30 |
| Rapid City | $58K | +5% | 120 |
Compare to other states
Track forest and conservation technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a forest and conservation technician afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $55K, rent takes 26.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for forest and conservation technicians in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new forest and conservation technicians typically earn — is $44K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,612/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 39% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is forest and conservation technician a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $55K locally vs. $55K nationally, a 0% difference.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for forest and conservation technicians?
South Dakota pays $55K median vs. the U.S. average of $55K — that’s +0%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $61K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do forest and conservation technicians make in South Dakota?
The median is $54,770 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $43,530, and experienced forest and conservation technicians can clear $82,990. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,837/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 26.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a forest and conservation technicians salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median forest and conservation technicians salary is worth about $60,930 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do forest and conservation technicians 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.