Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in South Dakota
Slaughterers and Meat Packers in South Dakota earn a median of $44,410 a year ($21.35 an hour), based on BLS data for 740 workers.
Pay ranges from $34,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,080 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $40,130. South Dakota ranks 14th of 47 states for slaughterers and meat packers pay. There are 1.6 slaughterers and meat packers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 3.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $43,070, close to the median.
Pay range for slaughterers and meat packers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $34,950 | $16.80 |
| 25th percentile | $38,650 | $18.58 |
| Median | $44,410 | $21.35 |
| 75th percentile | $45,440 | $21.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,080 | $23.12 |
| Average (mean) | $43,070 | $20.71 |
Half of slaughterers and meat packers 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 | $3,700.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,850.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,708.08 |
| Weekly | $854.04 |
| Hourly | $21.35 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $44,410 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.
Slaughterers and Meat Packers salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $49,600 | 1,120 |
Highest-paying states for slaughterers and meat packers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Colorado | $50,480 |
| Arizona | $49,020 |
| Nebraska | $48,910 |
| Kansas | $48,240 |
| Montana | $46,700 |
| South Carolina | $46,000 |
| Oregon | $45,980 |
| Oklahoma | $45,970 |
| Michigan | $45,850 |
| New Jersey | $45,230 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Food Batchmaker | $39,200 | $18.84 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,310 | $17.94 |
| Baker | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,040 | $21.66 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders | $39,270 | $18.88 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $43,240 | $20.79 |
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 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 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $53,370 | $25.66 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $43,860 | $21.09 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-3023. 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 slaughterers and meat packers make in South Dakota?
The median salary for slaughterers and meat packers in South Dakota is $44,410 a year, or $21.35 an hour. Pay ranges from $34,950 for the lowest-paid 10% to $48,080 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid slaughterers and meat packers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of slaughterers and meat packers in South Dakota earn at least $48,080 a year. The top 25% earn $45,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for slaughterers and meat packers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $34,950 a year, and a quarter of slaughterers and meat packers earn $38,650 or less.
How many slaughterers and meat packers work in South Dakota?
About 740 slaughterers and meat packers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.