Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas salary in South Dakota
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas in South Dakota earn a median of $49,920 a year ($24.00 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,010 for the top 10%. That is 14% lower than the national median of $58,160. South Dakota ranks 19th of 27 states for service unit operators, oil and gas pay. There are 0.09 service unit operators, oil and gas per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.32). The average (mean) salary is $51,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for service unit operators, oil and gas in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,060 | $22.15 |
| 25th percentile | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Median | $49,920 | $24.00 |
| 75th percentile | $54,630 | $26.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $57,010 | $27.41 |
| Average (mean) | $51,430 | $24.72 |
Half of service unit operators, oil and gas 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 | $4,160 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,080 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,920 |
| Weekly | $960 |
| Hourly | $24.00 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,920 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 service unit operators, oil and gas
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $106,480 |
| Missouri | $90,580 |
| Montana | $77,750 |
| New Mexico | $64,990 |
| Nebraska | $62,990 |
| California | $62,580 |
| Wyoming | $62,560 |
| Florida | $62,050 |
| Ohio | $61,260 |
| North Dakota | $60,810 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas | $57,160 | $27.48 |
| Helpers--Extraction Workers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Roustabouts, Oil and Gas | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters | $56,780 | $27.30 |
| Carpenter | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers | $77,690 | $37.35 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Highway Maintenance Worker | $48,610 | $23.37 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-5013. 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 service unit operators, oil and gas make in South Dakota?
The median salary for service unit operators, oil and gas in South Dakota is $49,920 a year, or $24.00 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $57,010 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid service unit operators, oil and gas make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of service unit operators, oil and gas in South Dakota earn at least $57,010 a year. The top 25% earn $54,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for service unit operators, oil and gas in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,060 a year, and a quarter of service unit operators, oil and gas earn $47,480 or less.
How many service unit operators, oil and gas work in South Dakota?
About 40 service unit operators, oil and gas are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.