Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in South Dakota
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators in South Dakota earn a median of $47,410 a year ($22.79 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,940 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,080 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $46,420. South Dakota ranks 26th of 51 states for industrial truck and tractor operators pay. There are 4.2 industrial truck and tractor operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $48,730, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for industrial truck and tractor operators in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,780 | $18.17 |
| 25th percentile | $43,320 | $20.83 |
| Median | $47,410 | $22.79 |
| 75th percentile | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,080 | $29.36 |
| Average (mean) | $48,730 | $23.43 |
Half of industrial truck and tractor 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 | $3,950.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,975.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,823.46 |
| Weekly | $911.73 |
| Hourly | $22.79 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $47,410 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.
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $47,410 | 880 |
| Rapid City, SD | $45,930 | 190 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $45,470 | 530 |
Highest-paying states for industrial truck and tractor operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $83,720 |
| New Mexico | $62,150 |
| Delaware | $60,350 |
| Wyoming | $59,820 |
| New Hampshire | $54,460 |
| Alaska | $54,190 |
| Hawaii | $53,640 |
| Oregon | $50,760 |
| Colorado | $50,570 |
| Washington | $49,910 |
See Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,980 | $18.74 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,050 | $16.85 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $28,760 | $13.83 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $32,950 | $15.84 |
| Crane and Tower Operators | $71,000 | $34.13 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $44,440 | $21.37 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,690 | $28.21 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $64,780 | $31.14 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $45,050 | $21.66 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7051. 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 industrial truck and tractor operators make in South Dakota?
The median salary for industrial truck and tractor operators in South Dakota is $47,410 a year, or $22.79 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $61,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid industrial truck and tractor operators make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of industrial truck and tractor operators in South Dakota earn at least $61,080 a year. The top 25% earn $54,770 or more.
What is the starting pay for industrial truck and tractor operators in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,780 a year, and a quarter of industrial truck and tractor operators earn $43,320 or less.
How many industrial truck and tractor operators work in South Dakota?
About 1,940 industrial truck and tractor operators are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.