Gas Plant Operator salary in South Dakota
Gas Plant Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $101,450 a year ($48.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $83,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,660 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $87,820. South Dakota ranks 9th of 43 states for gas plant operators pay. There are 0.19 gas plant operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $97,770, close to the median.
Pay range for gas plant operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $83,530 | $40.16 |
| 25th percentile | $99,780 | $47.97 |
| Median | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| 75th percentile | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $104,660 | $50.32 |
| Average (mean) | $97,770 | $47.00 |
Half of gas plant 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 | $8,454.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,227.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,901.92 |
| Weekly | $1,950.96 |
| Hourly | $48.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $101,450 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.
Highest-paying states for gas plant operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $130,220 |
| New Jersey | $110,900 |
| Oregon | $109,760 |
| Connecticut | $109,060 |
| Louisiana | $108,350 |
| Arizona | $104,600 |
| Massachusetts | $103,830 |
| Maryland | $102,950 |
| South Dakota | $101,450 |
| Arkansas | $100,870 |
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 |
| Chemical Plant and System Operators | $59,970 | $28.83 |
| 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 51-8092. 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 gas plant operator make in South Dakota?
The median salary for gas plant operators in South Dakota is $101,450 a year, or $48.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $83,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $104,660 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid gas plant operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of gas plant operators in South Dakota earn at least $104,660 a year. The top 25% earn $101,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for gas plant operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $83,530 a year, and a quarter of gas plant operators earn $99,780 or less.
How many gas plant operators work in South Dakota?
About 90 gas plant operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.