How does Power Plant Operators salary grow from entry-level to senior in South Dakota? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.
85% career growth potentialData: BLS OEWS 2024 • South Dakota salary data • Updated 2026-04-06
The salary range for Power Plant Operators in South Dakota spans from $66,710 at entry-level to $123,340 at senior level — a difference of $56,630 per year.
Senior Power Plant Operatorss in South Dakota earn $56,630 more per year than entry-level professionals.
Complete percentile breakdown showing how Power Plant Operators 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 | $66,710 | $5,559 | $32.07 |
| Early Career | P25 | $77,050 | $6,421 | $37.04 |
| Mid-Career | Median | $104,320 | $8,693 | $50.15 |
| Experienced | P75 | $104,320 | $8,693 | $50.15 |
| Senior / Expert | P90 | $123,340 | $10,278 | $59.30 |
Power Plant Operators in South Dakota has a moderate salary progression with a 85% growth from entry-level ($66,710) to senior ($123,340). 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 ($104,320) and P90 ($123,340) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.
Where does South Dakota rank for Power Plant Operators senior-level salaries? Compare South Dakota's P90 pay to other top-paying states.
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Entry-level Power Plant Operatorss (10th percentile) earn approximately $66,710 per year, or $5,559 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $77,050. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.
Senior Power Plant Operatorss (90th percentile) earn approximately $123,340 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $104,320. This represents a career premium of 85% over entry-level pay.
The career salary growth potential for Power Plant Operatorss is 85%. Entry-level professionals start at $66,710, while senior-level can earn up to $123,340 — a difference of $56,630 per year.
The highest-paying state for senior Power Plant Operatorss is South Dakota, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $123,340 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.
We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 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.
Salary percentile data for South Dakota from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. 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