Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in South Dakota
Chemical Plant and System Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $59,970 a year ($28.83 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,640 for the top 10%. That is 23% lower than the national median of $78,120. South Dakota ranks 31st of 35 states for chemical plant and system operators pay. There are 0.38 chemical plant and system operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $58,440, close to the median.
Pay range for chemical plant and system operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,790 | $23.94 |
| 25th percentile | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Median | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| 75th percentile | $61,720 | $29.67 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,640 | $31.56 |
| Average (mean) | $58,440 | $28.09 |
Half of chemical plant and system operators 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 | $4,997.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,498.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,306.54 |
| Weekly | $1,153.27 |
| Hourly | $28.83 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,970 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.
Chemical Plant and System Operators salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $62,160 | 30 |
Highest-paying states for chemical plant and system operators
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Plant and System Operators, All Other | $57,430 | $27.61 |
| Gas Plant Operator | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators | $68,090 | $32.74 |
| Power Distributors and Dispatchers | $130,270 | $62.63 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| 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 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $43,180 | $20.76 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-8091. 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 chemical plant and system operators make in South Dakota?
The median salary for chemical plant and system operators in South Dakota is $59,970 a year, or $28.83 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid chemical plant and system operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of chemical plant and system operators in South Dakota earn at least $65,640 a year. The top 25% earn $61,720 or more.
What is the starting pay for chemical plant and system operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,790 a year, and a quarter of chemical plant and system operators earn $52,020 or less.
How many chemical plant and system operators work in South Dakota?
About 180 chemical plant and system operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.