Food Science Technician salary in South Dakota
Food Science Technicians in South Dakota earn a median of $48,760 a year ($23.44 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,440 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $52,130. South Dakota ranks 25th of 38 states for food science technicians pay. There are 0.21 food science technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $46,220, close to the median.
Pay range for food science technicians in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,790 | $16.25 |
| 25th percentile | $41,190 | $19.80 |
| Median | $48,760 | $23.44 |
| 75th percentile | $52,750 | $25.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $54,440 | $26.17 |
| Average (mean) | $46,220 | $22.22 |
Half of food science technicians 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 | $4,063.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,031.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,875.38 |
| Weekly | $937.69 |
| Hourly | $23.44 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $48,760 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.
Food Science Technician salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $50,710 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for food science technicians
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Chemical Technician | $49,030 | $23.57 |
| Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health | $44,180 | $21.24 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other | $51,630 | $24.82 |
| Social Science Research Assistant | $44,820 | $21.55 |
| Forensic Science Technician | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
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 19-4013. 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 food science technician make in South Dakota?
The median salary for food science technicians in South Dakota is $48,760 a year, or $23.44 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $54,440 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food science technicians make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of food science technicians in South Dakota earn at least $54,440 a year. The top 25% earn $52,750 or more.
What is the starting pay for food science technicians in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,790 a year, and a quarter of food science technicians earn $41,190 or less.
How many food science technicians work in South Dakota?
About 100 food science technicians are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.