Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in South Dakota
Butchers and Meat Cutters in South Dakota earn a median of $37,310 a year ($17.94 an hour), based on BLS data for 520 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,060 for the top 10%. That is 7% lower than the national median of $40,140. South Dakota ranks 43rd of 51 states for butchers and meat cutters pay. There are 1.1 butchers and meat cutters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $41,060, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for butchers and meat cutters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,830 | $16.26 |
| 25th percentile | $34,970 | $16.81 |
| Median | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| 75th percentile | $46,470 | $22.34 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,060 | $26.95 |
| Average (mean) | $41,060 | $19.74 |
Half of butchers and meat cutters 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 | $3,109.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,554.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,435 |
| Weekly | $717.50 |
| Hourly | $17.94 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $37,310 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.
Butchers and Meat Cutters salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $42,740 | 270 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $38,490 | 160 |
| Rapid City, SD | $37,060 | 80 |
Highest-paying states for butchers and meat cutters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $51,670 |
| Alaska | $50,450 |
| Hawaii | $50,080 |
| Oregon | $49,360 |
| District of Columbia | $48,760 |
| Massachusetts | $48,430 |
| New Hampshire | $47,740 |
| Colorado | $47,490 |
| New York | $47,080 |
| Delaware | $47,040 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Slaughterers and Meat Packers | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| Food Batchmaker | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Baker | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $73,040 | $35.12 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,980 | $23.07 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $47,240 | $22.71 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,860 | $21.09 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3021. 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 butchers and meat cutters make in South Dakota?
The median salary for butchers and meat cutters in South Dakota is $37,310 a year, or $17.94 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $56,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid butchers and meat cutters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of butchers and meat cutters in South Dakota earn at least $56,060 a year. The top 25% earn $46,470 or more.
What is the starting pay for butchers and meat cutters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,830 a year, and a quarter of butchers and meat cutters earn $34,970 or less.
How many butchers and meat cutters work in South Dakota?
About 520 butchers and meat cutters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.