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Animal Control Workers Salary in South Dakota: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Animal Control Workers salary really buy you in South Dakota?

South Dakota is 12.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$45,530
Median annual (2025)
+13.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$51,738
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.0)

South Dakota Cost of Living Index

South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.0, meaning prices are 12.0% lower the national average. A Animal Control Workers earning $45,530 in South Dakota has the equivalent purchasing power of $51,738 in an average-cost US state.

SD: 88.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $32,670 $37,125 +$4,455
25th Percentile (P25) $33,280 $37,818 +$4,538
Median (P50) $45,530 $51,738 +$6,208
75th Percentile (P75) $49,440 $56,181 +$6,741
90th Percentile (P90) $56,900 $64,659 +$7,759
Key Insight

A Animal Control Workers in South Dakota earns $45,530 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $51,738 in an average-cost state. This makes South Dakota one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Dakota Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.0

South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 12.0% less than the national average. For a Animal Control Workers, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+13.6%

Adjusting $45,530 for South Dakota's cost of living yields $51,739 — a 13.6% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#15 / 44

South Dakota sits at #15 of 44 states for Animal Control Workers COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Animal Control Workers (After Cost of Living)

Where does Animal Control Workers salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Alaska
$62,098
RPP 102.0
2. Oregon
$62,035
RPP 106.6
3. Iowa
$61,300
RPP 88.4
4. Nevada
$61,006
RPP 96.4
$60,510
RPP 109.8
6. Wyoming
$58,618
RPP 91.9
$57,155
RPP 102.3
8. Montana
$55,957
RPP 90.3
$55,694
RPP 109.4
$55,671
RPP 112.5

South Dakota ranks #15 out of 44 states for Animal Control Workers after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Animal Control Workers take-home pay in South Dakota after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Animal Control Workers in South Dakota after cost of living?

A Animal Control Workers in South Dakota earns a median salary of $45,530 per year. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (RPP=88.0), the real purchasing power is $51,738 — a +13.6% difference.

Is South Dakota expensive to live in?

South Dakota's cost of living is 12.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Dakota is 88.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Animal Control Workers in South Dakota: $45,530 x (100 / 88.0) = $51,738. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Animal Control Workers in South Dakota financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Animal Control Workers in South Dakota enjoys 13.6% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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