Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in South Dakota
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders in South Dakota earn a median of $43,860 a year ($21.09 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $33,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,850 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $43,220. South Dakota ranks 21st of 50 states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders pay. There are 2.2 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $42,880, close to the median.
Pay range for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,440 | $16.08 |
| 25th percentile | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Median | $43,860 | $21.09 |
| 75th percentile | $46,790 | $22.49 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Average (mean) | $42,880 | $20.62 |
Half of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders 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 | $3,655 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,827.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,686.92 |
| Weekly | $843.46 |
| Hourly | $21.09 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $43,860 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.
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $44,350 | 330 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $43,700 | 810 |
| Rapid City, SD | $32,950 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Hampshire | $49,450 |
| Wyoming | $48,890 |
| Missouri | $48,070 |
| Maine | $47,970 |
| North Dakota | $47,390 |
| Idaho | $46,720 |
| Vermont | $46,670 |
| West Virginia | $46,410 |
| Nebraska | $46,220 |
| Wisconsin | $46,220 |
See Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,000 | $23.56 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $44,980 | $21.63 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,780 | $24.41 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $48,830 | $23.48 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,910 | $21.59 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,330 | $23.24 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $48,370 | $23.25 |
| Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers | $45,110 | $21.69 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $66,650 | $32.04 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9111. 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 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in South Dakota?
The median salary for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in South Dakota is $43,860 a year, or $21.09 an hour. Pay ranges from $33,440 for the lowest-paid 10% to $47,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid packaging and filling machine operators and tenders make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in South Dakota earn at least $47,850 a year. The top 25% earn $46,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for packaging and filling machine operators and tenders in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $33,440 a year, and a quarter of packaging and filling machine operators and tenders earn $38,890 or less.
How many packaging and filling machine operators and tenders work in South Dakota?
About 1,000 packaging and filling machine operators and tenders are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.