Surveyor salary in South Dakota
Surveyors in South Dakota earn a median of $77,190 a year ($37.11 an hour), based on BLS data for 180 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,560 for the top 10%. That is 2% higher than the national median of $75,440. South Dakota ranks 19th of 50 states for surveyors pay. There are 0.40 surveyors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $86,630, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for surveyors in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,690 | $28.70 |
| 25th percentile | $68,890 | $33.12 |
| Median | $77,190 | $37.11 |
| 75th percentile | $100,580 | $48.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $122,560 | $58.92 |
| Average (mean) | $86,630 | $41.65 |
Half of surveyors 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 | $6,432.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,216.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,968.85 |
| Weekly | $1,484.42 |
| Hourly | $37.11 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,190 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.
Surveyor salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $81,030 | 80 |
| Rapid City, SD | $78,320 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for surveyors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $105,330 |
| Alaska | $99,550 |
| Oregon | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $94,590 |
| Washington | $85,610 |
| Montana | $84,610 |
| Minnesota | $83,620 |
| Maine | $83,200 |
| Delaware | $82,890 |
| Nevada | $82,460 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | $102,500 | $49.28 |
| Cartographers and Photogrammetrists | $72,910 | $35.05 |
| Landscape Architect | $70,620 | $33.95 |
| Civil Engineer | $98,700 | $47.45 |
| Industrial Engineer | $93,200 | $44.81 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $88,380 | $42.49 |
| Electrical Engineer | $98,980 | $47.59 |
| Architectural and Civil Drafters | $52,470 | $25.23 |
| Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $60,880 | $29.27 |
| Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $54,570 | $26.24 |
| Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians | $58,340 | $28.05 |
| Electronics Engineers, Except Computer | $84,150 | $40.46 |
| Computer Hardware Engineer | $101,400 | $48.75 |
| Engineers, All Other | $112,260 | $53.97 |
More: Architecture and Engineering Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 17-1022. 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 surveyor make in South Dakota?
The median salary for surveyors in South Dakota is $77,190 a year, or $37.11 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $122,560 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid surveyors make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of surveyors in South Dakota earn at least $122,560 a year. The top 25% earn $100,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for surveyors in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,690 a year, and a quarter of surveyors earn $68,890 or less.
How many surveyors work in South Dakota?
About 180 surveyors are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.