Animal Scientist salary in South Dakota
Animal Scientists in South Dakota earn a median of $77,300 a year ($37.16 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,990 for the top 10%. That is 12% higher than the national median of $68,940. South Dakota ranks 8th of 13 states for animal scientists pay. There are 0.19 animal scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 9.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $79,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for animal scientists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,660 | $24.36 |
| 25th percentile | $63,420 | $30.49 |
| Median | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| 75th percentile | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Average (mean) | $79,940 | $38.43 |
Half of animal scientists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,441.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,220.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,973.08 |
| Weekly | $1,486.54 |
| Hourly | $37.16 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,300 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for animal scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Texas | $132,830 |
| Minnesota | $88,640 |
| Wisconsin | $84,310 |
| Washington | $83,160 |
| Kansas | $80,090 |
| Maryland | $77,750 |
| Pennsylvania | $77,660 |
| South Dakota | $77,300 |
| Iowa | $75,290 |
| North Dakota | $72,100 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
| Forester | $64,460 | $30.99 |
| Food Scientists and Technologists | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| Microbiologist | $70,530 | $33.91 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-1011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a animal scientist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for animal scientists in South Dakota is $77,300 a year, or $37.16 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,660 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid animal scientists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of animal scientists in South Dakota earn at least $101,990 a year. The top 25% earn $101,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for animal scientists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,660 a year, and a quarter of animal scientists earn $63,420 or less.
How many animal scientists work in South Dakota?
About 90 animal scientists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.