Tree Trimmers and Pruners Salary
In South Dakota, tree trimmers and pruners earn $50,430 at the median, or about $24.25 an hour. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $71K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $56,102 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 29% 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 $50K get you in South Dakota?
About tree trimmers and pruners
Sponsored links, AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
What this looks like in South Dakota
Tree trimmers and pruners pay in South Dakota tracks closely to the national median, $50K locally vs. $51K nationwide, a 1% difference. Rent runs $1,017/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 28.7% 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 tree trimmers and pruners (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $50K. Top earners bring in $71K or more, a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Tree Trimmers and Pruners salary by metro in South Dakota
1 metro area with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $61K | +20% | 150 |
Compare to other states
Track tree trimmers and pruners salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
Related careers in Building & Maintenance
Frequently asked questions
Can a tree trimmers and pruner afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $50K, rent takes 28.7% 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 tree trimmers and pruners in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new tree trimmers and pruners typically earn — is $40K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,402/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 42% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is tree trimmers and pruner a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Pay here is roughly in line with the national average — $50K locally vs. $51K nationally, a 1% difference.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for tree trimmers and pruners?
South Dakota pays $50K median vs. the U.S. average of $51K — that’s -1%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $56K — still ahead of the national median.
How much do tree trimmers and pruners make in South Dakota?
The median is $50,430 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,040, and experienced tree trimmers and pruners can clear $70,650. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $50K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,547/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 28.7% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a tree trimmers and pruners 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 tree trimmers and pruners salary is worth about $56,102 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do tree trimmers and pruners 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.