Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other Salary
The median pay for a motor vehicle operators, all other in South Dakota is $53,790/year ($25.86/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $24K at the entry level to $65K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $59,840 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 27.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $54K get you in South Dakota?
About motor vehicle operators, all others
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in South Dakota
South Dakota sits well above the national pay line for motor vehicle operators, all other, local pay runs about 45% higher than the U.S. median of $37K. Rent runs $1,017/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 27% 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. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level motor vehicle operators, all others (10th percentile) start around $24K. Mid-career wages sit at $54K. Top earners bring in $65K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track motor vehicle operators, all other salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Transportation
Frequently asked questions
Can a motor vehicle operators, all other afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $54K, rent takes 27% 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 motor vehicle operators, all others in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new motor vehicle operators, all others typically earn — is $24K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,435/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 71% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is motor vehicle operators, all other a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Local pay is 45% above the national median — $54K here vs. $37K nationally.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for motor vehicle operators, all others?
South Dakota pays $54K median vs. the U.S. average of $37K — that’s +45%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $60K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do motor vehicle operators, all others make in South Dakota?
The median is $53,790 a year, that works out to about $26 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $23,920, and experienced motor vehicle operators, all others can clear $64,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $54K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,772/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 27% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a motor vehicle operators, all other 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 motor vehicle operators, all other salary is worth about $59,840 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do motor vehicle operators, all others 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.