Food Scientists and Technologists salary in South Dakota
Food Scientists and Technologists in South Dakota earn a median of $71,330 a year ($34.29 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,530 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $88,720. South Dakota ranks 37th of 39 states for food scientists and technologists pay. There are 0.19 food scientists and technologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $87,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for food scientists and technologists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,990 | $20.19 |
| 25th percentile | $59,650 | $28.68 |
| Median | $71,330 | $34.29 |
| 75th percentile | $137,250 | $65.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $147,530 | $70.93 |
| Average (mean) | $87,850 | $42.24 |
Half of food scientists and technologists 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 | $5,944.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,972.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,743.46 |
| Weekly | $1,371.73 |
| Hourly | $34.29 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $71,330 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 Scientists and Technologists salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $78,260 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for food scientists and technologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| South Carolina | $108,660 |
| Missouri | $105,930 |
| New Jersey | $104,340 |
| Massachusetts | $103,580 |
| Florida | $101,160 |
| Colorado | $99,580 |
| Minnesota | $99,280 |
| Kentucky | $98,710 |
| Alabama | $97,480 |
| Washington | $94,990 |
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 |
| Animal Scientist | $77,300 | $37.16 |
| 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 19-1012. 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 scientists and technologists make in South Dakota?
The median salary for food scientists and technologists in South Dakota is $71,330 a year, or $34.29 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $147,530 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid food scientists and technologists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of food scientists and technologists in South Dakota earn at least $147,530 a year. The top 25% earn $137,250 or more.
What is the starting pay for food scientists and technologists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,990 a year, and a quarter of food scientists and technologists earn $59,650 or less.
How many food scientists and technologists work in South Dakota?
About 90 food scientists and technologists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.