Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs Salary
The median pay for a shuttle drivers and chauffeurs in South Dakota is $36,310/year ($17.46/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $30K at the entry level to $42K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $40,394 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,017/month, about 38.9% of take-home, which is tight.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $36K get you in South Dakota?
About shuttle drivers and chauffeurs
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What this looks like in South Dakota
Shuttle drivers and chauffeurs pay in South Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $36K locally vs. $37K nationwide, a 3% difference. The catch: housing math doesn't keep up. A 2-bedroom at the HUD median rents for $1,017/month, which is 39.1% of the median worker's take-home, past the 30% guideline most planners use. 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 shuttle drivers and chauffeurs (10th percentile) start around $30K. Mid-career wages sit at $36K. Top earners bring in $42K or more, a $12K spread from bottom to top.
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs 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 | $37K | +1% | 200 |
| Rapid City | $35K | -2% | 90 |
Compare to other states
Track shuttle drivers and chauffeurs 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 shuttle drivers and chauffeur afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
It’s a stretch — at the median salary of $36K, rent takes 39.1% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. The 30% guideline puts the comfortable ceiling at roughly $800/month in rent — so roommates or a 1-bedroom would ease the math significantly.
What’s the entry-level salary for shuttle drivers and chauffeurs in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new shuttle drivers and chauffeurs typically earn — is $30K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $1,789/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 57% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is shuttle drivers and chauffeur a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $36K locally vs. $37K nationally, a 3% difference.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for shuttle drivers and chauffeurs?
South Dakota pays $36K median vs. the U.S. average of $37K — that’s -3%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $40K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do shuttle drivers and chauffeurs make in South Dakota?
The median is $36,310 a year, that works out to about $17 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $29,810, and experienced shuttle drivers and chauffeurs can clear $41,710. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $36K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,601/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 39.1% 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 shuttle drivers and chauffeurs 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 shuttle drivers and chauffeurs salary is worth about $40,394 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do shuttle drivers and chauffeurs 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.