Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators Salary in Rapid City, SD
The median pay for a postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators in Rapid City, SD is $61,150/year ($29.4/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $49K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.16), which stretches that salary to about $68,585 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,336/month — about 31.5% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $61K get you in Rapid City?
About postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Rapid City, SD
Entry-level postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators (10th percentile) start around $49K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K.Top earners bring in $74K or more - a $25K spread from bottom to top.
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $68K | +20% | 460 |
| Iowa | $60K | +5% | 1,050 |
| South Dakota | $60K | +5% | 230 |
| New Jersey | $60K | +5% | 4,090 |
| Wyoming | $60K | +5% | 120 |
| Kansas | $60K | +5% | 670 |
| North Dakota | $59K | +4% | 250 |
| Vermont | $59K | +4% | 130 |
| Nebraska | $59K | +4% | 660 |
| Washington | $57K | +2% | 1,960 |
| Arkansas | $57K | +2% | 650 |
| California | $57K | +2% | 11,330 |
| Connecticut | $57K | +2% | 1,160 |
| Delaware | $57K | +2% | 450 |
| Rhode Island | $57K | +2% | 630 |
Track postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Rapid City numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators make in Rapid City, SD?
The median is $61,150 a year - that works out to about $29.4 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $49,360, and experienced postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators can clear $74,050. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Rapid City?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,264/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,336/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.3% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators salary go in Rapid City?
Rapid City has a Regional Price Parity of 89.16 (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 postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine operators salary is worth about $68,585 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do postal service mail sorters, processors, and processing machine 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.