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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing Salary in South Dakota: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary really buy you in South Dakota?

South Dakota is 12.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$41,740
Median annual (2025)
+13.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$47,431
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.0)

South Dakota Cost of Living Index

South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.0, meaning prices are 12.0% lower the national average. A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing earning $41,740 in South Dakota has the equivalent purchasing power of $47,431 in an average-cost US state.

SD: 88.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $31,070 $35,306 +$4,236
25th Percentile (P25) $36,510 $41,488 +$4,978
Median (P50) $41,740 $47,431 +$5,691
75th Percentile (P75) $47,210 $53,647 +$6,437
90th Percentile (P90) $51,870 $58,943 +$7,073
Key Insight

A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in South Dakota earns $41,740 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $47,431 in an average-cost state. This makes South Dakota one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Dakota Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.0

South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 12.0% less than the national average. For a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+13.6%

Adjusting $41,740 for South Dakota's cost of living yields $47,432 — a 13.6% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Above-Median Adjusted Pay

#14 / 47

South Dakota sits at #14 of 47 states for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing COL-adjusted salary — comfortably above the national midpoint.

Best States for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing (After Cost of Living)

Where does Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

1. Iowa
$57,918
RPP 88.4
$54,777
RPP 89.8
$52,753
RPP 97.7
$52,064
RPP 90.6
$51,657
RPP 88.7
$51,049
RPP 93.4
7. Montana
$50,509
RPP 90.3
8. Idaho
$49,814
RPP 91.8
9. Kansas
$48,422
RPP 90.0
$48,251
RPP 109.8

South Dakota ranks #14 out of 47 states for Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing take-home pay in South Dakota after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in South Dakota after cost of living?

A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in South Dakota earns a median salary of $41,740 per year. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (RPP=88.0), the real purchasing power is $47,431 — a +13.6% difference.

Is South Dakota expensive to live in?

South Dakota's cost of living is 12.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Dakota is 88.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in South Dakota: $41,740 x (100 / 88.0) = $47,431. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in South Dakota financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing in South Dakota enjoys 13.6% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

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