Rail Car Repairer salary in South Dakota
Rail Car Repairers in South Dakota earn a median of $71,750 a year ($34.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,060 for the top 10%. That is 6% higher than the national median of $67,530. South Dakota ranks 14th of 40 states for rail car repairers pay. There are 0.20 rail car repairers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $69,030, close to the median.
Pay range for rail car repairers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,250 | $22.24 |
| 25th percentile | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| Median | $71,750 | $34.50 |
| 75th percentile | $76,230 | $36.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,060 | $38.01 |
| Average (mean) | $69,030 | $33.19 |
Half of rail car repairers 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 | $5,979.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,989.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,759.62 |
| Weekly | $1,379.81 |
| Hourly | $34.50 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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Highest-paying states for rail car repairers
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $51,160 | $24.60 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $58,120 | $27.94 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $66,730 | $32.08 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $62,140 | $29.87 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $49,460 | $23.78 |
| Tire Repairers and Changers | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Motorcycle Mechanic | $46,490 | $22.35 |
| Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics | $41,580 | $19.99 |
| Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians | $75,750 | $36.42 |
| Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Bicycle Repairer | $31,500 | $15.15 |
| Recreational Vehicle Service Technician | $39,820 | $19.14 |
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $48,100 | $23.13 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $80,810 | $38.85 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-3043. 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 rail car repairer make in South Dakota?
The median salary for rail car repairers in South Dakota is $71,750 a year, or $34.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,060 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rail car repairers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of rail car repairers in South Dakota earn at least $79,060 a year. The top 25% earn $76,230 or more.
What is the starting pay for rail car repairers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,250 a year, and a quarter of rail car repairers earn $71,750 or less.
How many rail car repairers work in South Dakota?
About 90 rail car repairers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.