Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much does a Fish and Game Wardens actually take home in South Dakota?
No state income tax — 17.8% effective total tax rateData: BLS OEWS 2025 + IRS/State Tax Brackets 2024 • Updated 2026-05-19
Detailed line-by-line tax calculation for a Fish and Game Wardens earning $68,810 in South Dakota (single filer, standard deduction).
| Tax Component | Annual Amount | Effective Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Gross Salary (Median) | $68,810 | — |
| Federal Income Tax | -$6,979 | 10.1% |
| South Dakota State Income Tax | -$0 | 0.0% |
| Social Security (OASDI) | -$4,266 | 6.2% |
| Medicare | -$997 | 1.5% |
| Total Taxes | -$12,243 | 17.8% |
| Take-Home Pay | $56,566 | 82.2% |
Take-home pay varies significantly across experience levels. Here is the after-tax breakdown for each salary percentile of Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota.
| Percentile | Gross Salary | Total Taxes | Take-Home Pay | Tax Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (P10) | $37,170 | -$5,319 | $31,850 | 14.3% |
| 25th Percentile (P25) | $62,320 | -$10,318 | $52,001 | 16.6% |
| Median (P50) | $68,810 | -$12,243 | $56,566 | 17.8% |
| 75th Percentile (P75) | $77,960 | -$14,956 | $63,003 | 19.2% |
| 90th Percentile (P90) | $84,860 | -$17,001 | $67,858 | 20.0% |
South Dakota has no state income tax, which means a Fish and Game Wardens keeps $56,566 of their $68,810 salary — 82.2% 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 Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota faces an effective total tax rate of only 17.8%, keeping 82.2% of every gross dollar. That leaves $56,567 net out of $68,810 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 Fish and Game Wardens, 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 ($6,979) accounts for 57% of the total tax bill — the single largest deduction. FICA adds $5,264 (43%), and state tax the remaining $0 (0%).
South Dakota ranks #18 of 35 states for Fish and Game Wardens after-tax pay — lower half of the national distribution. Either gross wages trail the national median, state tax is elevated, or both.
Translated into paycheck cadences, $56,567 net/year works out to $4,714/month or $2,176/bi-weekly for this Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota — the numbers that actually hit a checking account after every deduction.
Where does a Fish and Game Wardens keep the most of their paycheck? Top 10 states ranked by after-tax take-home pay.
South Dakota ranks #18 out of 35 states for Fish and Game Wardens after-tax take-home pay.
A Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota earning a median salary of $68,810 will take home approximately $56,566 per year after federal income tax ($6,979), state income tax ($0), and FICA ($5,263). That is $4,713 per month or $2,175 per bi-weekly paycheck.
The effective total tax rate for a Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota is 17.8%, broken down as: federal income tax 10.1%, South Dakota state tax 0.0%, and FICA (Social Security + Medicare) 7.7%. 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 Fish and Game Wardens 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 17.8%.
After all taxes, a Fish and Game Wardens in South Dakota takes home approximately $4,713 per month, or about $27.20 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 $68,810 for Fish and Game Wardens 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 — $56,566/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