Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How does Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary grow from entry-level to senior in South Dakota? State salary progression based on 2025 BLS data.
108% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2025 • South Dakota salary data • Updated 2026-05-19
The salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Dakota spans from $38,670 at entry-level to $80,500 at senior level — a difference of $41,830 per year.
Senior Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss in South Dakota earn $41,830 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salary increases with experience in South Dakota, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).
| Experience Level | Percentile | Annual Salary | Monthly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-Level | P10 | $38,670 | $3,222 | $18.59 |
| Early Career | P25 | $44,790 | $3,732 | $21.53 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $51,160 | $4,263 | $24.60 |
| Experienced | P75 | $61,610 | $5,134 | $29.62 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $80,500 | $6,708 | $38.70 |
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics in South Dakota has a moderate salary progression with a 108% growth from entry-level ($38,670) to senior ($80,500). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($51,160) and P90 ($80,500) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does South Dakota rank for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics senior-level salaries? Compare South Dakota's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
Entry-level Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss (10th percentile) earn approximately $38,670 per year, or $3,222 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $44,790. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss (90th percentile) earn approximately $80,500 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $61,610. This represents a career premium of 108% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss is 108%. Entry-level professionals start at $38,670, while senior-level can earn up to $80,500 — a difference of $41,830 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanicss is South Dakota, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $80,500 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2025 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.
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Salary percentile data for South Dakota from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within South Dakota.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS