South Dakota ranks 48th of 49 states and D.C. for commercial pilots pay, trailing top-paying Connecticut ($227,140) by $151,400 — a 200% gap.
Commercial Pilots are more concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 1.94 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.94× the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $49,770 | N/A |
| 25th percentile | $61,420 | N/A |
| 50th percentile (median) | $75,740 | N/A |
| 75th percentile | $110,380 | N/A |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $153,600 | N/A |
| Mean (average) | $89,990 | N/A |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $75,740 | n/a |
| Connecticut | $227,140 | +200% |
| New York | $172,500 | +128% |
| Texas | $162,930 | +115% |
| Delaware | $155,640 | +105% |
| Georgia | $139,350 | +84% |
| Massachusetts | $137,150 | +81% |
| Maine | $134,990 | +78% |
| Nevada | $132,490 | +75% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $75,840 | 2,270 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $75,320 | 60 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographers | $74,880 | 380 |
| School Psychologists | $76,990 | 130 |
| Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products | $74,430 | 5,270 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $77,070 | 130 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Commercial Pilots salary in South Dakota?
The mean commercial pilots salary in South Dakota is $89,990 per year. The median (middle) salary is $75,740 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Commercial Pilots in South Dakota?
Entry-level commercial pilotss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $49,770 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $61,420 per year.
What is the highest Commercial Pilots salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $153,600 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $110,380 per year.
How does the South Dakota Commercial Pilots salary compare to the national average?
The median commercial pilots salary in South Dakota is $75,740, which is -38% below national average of $122,670.