South Dakota ranks 47th of 48 states and D.C. for technical writers pay, trailing top-paying Connecticut ($109,400) by $49,090 — a 81% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $47,350 to $78,370 — a $31,020 spread, 59% tighter than the national $76,030 range.
Technical Writers are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.64 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.56× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $47,350 | $22.77 |
| 25th percentile | $52,090 | $25.04 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| 75th percentile | $67,230 | $32.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,370 | $37.68 |
| Mean (average) | $61,400 | $29.52 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $60,310 | n/a |
| Connecticut | $109,400 | +81% |
| Colorado | $103,960 | +72% |
| Massachusetts | $102,640 | +70% |
| Rhode Island | $100,580 | +67% |
| California | $100,440 | +67% |
| Maryland | $98,350 | +63% |
| Washington | $93,230 | +55% |
| New Hampshire | $91,710 | +52% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,300 | 1,890 |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment | $60,150 | 430 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers | $60,550 | 90 |
| Food Service Managers | $60,600 | 1,200 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $59,700 | 560 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $59,690 | 1,270 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Technical Writers salary in South Dakota?
The mean technical writers salary in South Dakota is $61,400 per year. The median (middle) salary is $60,310 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Technical Writers in South Dakota?
Entry-level technical writerss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $47,350 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $52,090 per year.
What is the highest Technical Writers salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $78,370 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $67,230 per year.
How does the South Dakota Technical Writers salary compare to the national average?
The median technical writers salary in South Dakota is $60,310, which is -34% below national average of $91,670.