South Dakota ranks 47th of 51 states and D.C. for chemists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($153,320) by $88,840 — a 138% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $50,460 to $93,090 — a $42,630 spread, 58% tighter than the national $101,220 range.
Chemists are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.63 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.59× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $50,460 | $24.26 |
| 25th percentile | $53,630 | $25.79 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
| 75th percentile | $79,070 | $38.01 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,090 | $44.75 |
| Mean (average) | $68,940 | $33.14 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $64,480 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $153,320 | +138% |
| New Mexico | $134,370 | +108% |
| Maryland | $131,910 | +105% |
| Massachusetts | $126,970 | +97% |
| Delaware | $125,430 | +95% |
| Louisiana | $109,150 | +69% |
| West Virginia | $108,010 | +68% |
| Texas | $101,260 | +57% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,570 | 1,240 |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $64,330 | 290 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $64,720 | 210 |
| Respiratory Therapists | $64,720 | 380 |
| Fundraisers | $64,910 | 70 |
| Public Relations Specialists | $65,000 | 240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Chemists salary in South Dakota?
The mean chemists salary in South Dakota is $68,940 per year. The median (middle) salary is $64,480 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Chemists in South Dakota?
Entry-level chemistss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $50,460 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $53,630 per year.
What is the highest Chemists salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $93,090 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $79,070 per year.
How does the South Dakota Chemists salary compare to the national average?
The median chemists salary in South Dakota is $64,480, which is -23% below national average of $84,150.