Solar Photovoltaic Installer salary in South Dakota
Solar Photovoltaic Installers in South Dakota earn a median of $42,380 a year ($20.37 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,590 for the top 10%. That is 20% lower than the national median of $53,140. South Dakota ranks 32nd of 32 states for solar photovoltaic installers pay. There are 0.10 solar photovoltaic installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.51). The average (mean) salary is $53,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for solar photovoltaic installers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,560 | $18.06 |
| 25th percentile | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Median | $42,380 | $20.37 |
| 75th percentile | $67,180 | $32.30 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Average (mean) | $53,180 | $25.57 |
Half of solar photovoltaic installers 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 | $3,531.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,765.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,630 |
| Weekly | $815 |
| Hourly | $20.37 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $42,380 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 solar photovoltaic installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $78,950 |
| Hawaii | $70,370 |
| Nevada | $67,810 |
| Oregon | $66,320 |
| Ohio | $62,400 |
| Washington | $61,630 |
| Maine | $61,210 |
| California | $60,600 |
| Illinois | $59,630 |
| Massachusetts | $59,180 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Carpenter | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Roofer | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 | $24.35 |
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 47-2231. 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 solar photovoltaic installer make in South Dakota?
The median salary for solar photovoltaic installers in South Dakota is $42,380 a year, or $20.37 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,560 for the lowest-paid 10% to $73,590 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid solar photovoltaic installers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of solar photovoltaic installers in South Dakota earn at least $73,590 a year. The top 25% earn $67,180 or more.
What is the starting pay for solar photovoltaic installers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,560 a year, and a quarter of solar photovoltaic installers earn $41,600 or less.
How many solar photovoltaic installers work in South Dakota?
About 50 solar photovoltaic installers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.