Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Conservation Scientists actually take home in South Dakota?
No state income tax — 19.0% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Conservation Scientists earning $76,400 in South Dakota (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $76,400 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$8,649 | 11.3% |
| South Dakota State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$4,736 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$1,107 | 1.4% |
| Total Taxes | -$14,493 | 19.0% |
| Take-Home Pay | $61,906 | 81.0% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Conservation Scientists in South Dakota.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $51,100 | -$8,057 | $43,042 | 15.8% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $61,110 | -$10,024 | $51,085 | 16.4% |
| Median (P50) | $76,400 | -$14,493 | $61,906 | 19.0% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $88,710 | -$18,143 | $70,566 | 20.5% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $100,420 | -$21,615 | $78,804 | 21.5% |
South Dakota has no state income tax, which means a Conservation Scientists keeps $61,906 of their $76,400 salary — 81.0% of gross pay. Only federal income tax and FICA reduce the paycheck, making South Dakota one of the most tax-friendly states for this occupation.
A Conservation Scientists in South Dakota faces an effective total tax rate of only 19.0%, keeping 81.0% of every gross dollar. That leaves $61,906 net out of $76,400 gross — a favorable outcome compared to states with combined rates above 30%.
South Dakota is one of the few states with zero state income tax for wage earners. For a Conservation Scientists, that means the only deductions are federal income tax and FICA — no additional state withholding. This typically adds several thousand dollars per year compared to comparable states with income tax.
Federal income tax ($8,649) accounts for 60% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $5,845 (40%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
For Conservation Scientists after-tax pay, South Dakota ranks #7 of 51 states — top quartile. High gross wages or low state-tax burden (or both) drive the strong ranking.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $61,906 net/year works out to $5,159/month or $2,381/bi-weekly for this Conservation Scientists in South Dakota — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Conservation Scientists keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
South Dakota ranks #7 out of 51 states for Conservation Scientists after-tax take-home pay.
A Conservation Scientists in South Dakota earning a median salary of $76,400 will take home approximately $61,906 per year after federal income tax ($8,649), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($5,844). That is $5,158 per month or $2,381 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Conservation Scientists in South Dakota is 19.0%, broken down as: federal income tax 11.3%, South Dakota state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.6%. This assumes a single filer with the standard deduction for 2024.
No, South Dakota does not levy a state income tax on wages. This means a Conservation Scientists in South Dakota only pays federal income tax and FICA taxes, resulting in a lower overall tax burden compared to most other states. The total effective rate is 19.0%.
After all taxes, a Conservation Scientists in South Dakota takes home approximately $5,158 per month, or about $29.76 per hour (based on a standard 2,080-hour work year). These figures assume a single filer, standard deduction, and no additional pre-tax deductions.
We start with the 2025 BLS median salary of $76,400 for Conservation Scientists in South Dakota, then subtract: federal income tax using 2024 IRS brackets ($14,600 standard deduction), South Dakota state income tax (no state income tax), Social Security (6.2% up to $168,600), and Medicare (1.45%). The result — $61,906/yr — does not include local taxes, pre-tax deductions (401k, HSA), or tax credits.
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This estimate assumes a single filer using the 2024 standard deduction ($14,600), with W-2 employment income only. It does not account for: itemized deductions, tax credits (e.g. earned income credit, child tax credit), local/city taxes, pre-tax contributions (401k, HSA, FSA), self-employment tax, or additional income sources. Actual take-home pay may differ. Consult a tax professional for personalized advice.
Our Methodology · Data Sources · Salary: BLS OEWS · Tax: IRS + State DOR