Chemist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 170+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$67,440
$32.42/hr
vs National Average
$92,010
-26.7% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$51K – $101K
170 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Chemist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,270 |
| 25th percentile | $58,940 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $67,440 |
| 75th percentile | $83,590 |
| 90th percentile | $101,030 |
Top-Paying Industries for Chemist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Chemists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Chemists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Utilities | $123,380 | 610 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $112,840 | 3K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $109,990 | 190 |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $107,330 | 10K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $96,840 | 160 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Chemist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $61,220 |
| 2023 | $63,370 |
| 2024 | $64,480 |
| 2025 | $67,440 |
| 2026 (projected) | $70,536 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $61,220 | $79,362 |
| 2023 | $63,370 | $83,812 |
| 2024 | $64,480 | $86,969 |
| 2025 | $67,440 | $92,010 |
| 2026 (projected) | $70,536 | $96,234 |
Chemist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $58,940 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $67,440 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $83,590 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $101,030 |
Chemist Salary in Other States
Related Chemist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Chemist ($67,440 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Chemist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in SD | $83,050 | +23.1% | $39.93/hr |
| Medical Scientist in SD | $80,890 | +19.9% | $38.89/hr |
| Psychologist in SD | $80,130 | +18.8% | $38.52/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SD | $71,180 | +5.5% | $34.22/hr |
| Geoscientist in SD | $71,150 | +5.5% | $34.21/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in SD | $68,230 | +1.2% | $32.80/hr |
| Human Resources Specialist in SD | $67,590 | +0.2% | $32.50/hr |
| Respiratory Therapist in SD | $68,240 | +1.2% | $32.81/hr |
| Art Director in SD | $66,610 | -1.2% | $32.02/hr |
| Speech-Language Pathologist in SD | $65,680 | -2.6% | $31.58/hr |
| Radiologic Technologist in SD | $65,240 | -3.3% | $31.37/hr |
| Interior Designer in SD | $65,220 | -3.3% | $31.36/hr |