Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in South Dakota
Atmospheric and Space Scientists in South Dakota earn a median of $78,900 a year ($37.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,960 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $99,070. South Dakota ranks 40th of 47 states for atmospheric and space scientists pay. There are 0.29 atmospheric and space scientists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $89,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for atmospheric and space scientists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| 25th percentile | $68,220 | $32.80 |
| Median | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| 75th percentile | $104,380 | $50.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Average (mean) | $89,140 | $42.86 |
Half of atmospheric and space 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 | $6,575 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,287.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,034.62 |
| Weekly | $1,517.31 |
| Hourly | $37.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $78,900 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.
Atmospheric and Space Scientists salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $104,380 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for atmospheric and space scientists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $128,800 |
| California | $124,920 |
| Hawaii | $121,010 |
| New Jersey | $120,180 |
| Idaho | $119,430 |
| New York | $117,540 |
| Florida | $115,960 |
| Arizona | $115,020 |
| Missouri | $114,230 |
| Illinois | $112,280 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Chemist | $67,440 | $32.42 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Physicist | $83,050 | $39.93 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
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 19-2021. 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 atmospheric and space scientists make in South Dakota?
The median salary for atmospheric and space scientists in South Dakota is $78,900 a year, or $37.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid atmospheric and space scientists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of atmospheric and space scientists in South Dakota earn at least $129,960 a year. The top 25% earn $104,380 or more.
What is the starting pay for atmospheric and space scientists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,350 a year, and a quarter of atmospheric and space scientists earn $68,220 or less.
How many atmospheric and space scientists work in South Dakota?
About 130 atmospheric and space scientists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.