Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Learn more
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators Salary in South Dakota
Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
Last updated: 2025 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
$59,500
Median Annual Salary
▲
+4.9% vs 2024
$59,330
Mean Salary
$59,500
Median Salary
$28.61
Hourly Rate
2,050 people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators salary by percentile in South Dakota
BLS-reported salary distribution — from entry-level (10th percentile) to top earners (90th percentile).
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota earn a median salary of $59,500 per year ($4,958/month).
This is 7.1% below the national average of $64,047.
South Dakota ranks #31 out of 51 states for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators pay.
Approximately 2,050 people work in this occupation across South Dakota.
Salaries increased by 4.9% compared to 2024.
About This Job: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
Operate one or several types of power construction equipment, such as motor graders, bulldozers, scrapers, compressors, pumps, derricks, shovels, tractors, or front-end loaders to excavate, move, and grade earth, erect structures, or pour concrete or other hard surface pavement. May repair and maintain equipment in addition to other duties.
Top Skills
Operation and Control
4.12
Operations Monitoring
3.25
Equipment Maintenance
3.25
Monitoring
3.12
Active Listening
3.0
Key Knowledge Areas
Mechanical
3.56
English Language
3.33
Public Safety and Security
3.13
Mathematics
2.81
Administration and Management
2.78
Typical Education: Less than a High School Diploma
(1.4% of workers)
Salary Range: Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota range from $47,260 at the 10th percentile (entry level) to $75,880 at the 90th percentile (experienced). The middle 50% earn between $50,690 and $63,460.
Median $59,500
P10: $47,260P25: $50,690P75: $63,460P90: $75,880
10th
$47,260
25th
$50,690
Median
$59,500
75th
$63,460
90th
$75,880
Percentile
Annual Salary
Hourly Rate
Monthly
10th Percentile (Entry Level)
$47,260
$22.72
$3,938
25th Percentile
$50,690
$24.37
$4,224
Median (50th)
$59,500
$28.61
$4,958
75th Percentile
$63,460
$30.51
$5,288
90th Percentile (Experienced)
$75,880
$36.48
$6,323
Note: The mean (average) salary of $59,330 differs from the median because salary distributions are typically skewed by high earners.
📊 How Does This Compare?
#31
South Dakota ranks #31 of 51 states
$64,047
National avg. for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
How much do Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators make in South Dakota?
The median annual salary for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota is $59,500 as of 2025. The average (mean) salary is $59,330.
What is the salary range for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Salaries for Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota range from $47,260 at the 10th percentile to $75,880 at the 90th percentile. The middle 50% earn between $50,690 and $63,460.
What is the starting salary for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators positions in South Dakota typically start around $47,260 (10th percentile). With some experience, salaries rise to $50,690 (25th percentile).
How many people work as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
According to 2025 BLS data, approximately 2,050 people are employed as Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota.
What is the hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota?
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, the median hourly rate for a Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators in South Dakota is approximately $28.61 per hour.
Salary data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, 2025 estimates. The OEWS survey covers approximately 1.1 million establishments nationwide.
Annual salaries are calculated based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual compensation may vary based on experience, education, employer, and local market conditions. Figures do not include benefits, bonuses, or overtime pay.
We use cookies to improve your experience, analyze site traffic, and serve relevant ads.
You can choose which categories to allow. For details, see our
Privacy Policy and
Cookie List.