Environmental Scientist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 240+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$68,230
$32.80/hr
vs National Average
$80,042
-14.8% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$49K – $97K
240 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Environmental Scientist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $49,390 |
| 25th percentile | $62,910 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $68,230 |
| 75th percentile | $79,880 |
| 90th percentile | $97,060 |
Top-Paying Industries for Environmental Scientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Environmental Scientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Environmental Scientists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $134,100 | 110 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $122,660 | 210 |
| Manufacturing | $120,930 | 1K |
| Utilities | $115,170 | 1K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $110,020 | 1K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Environmental Scientist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $62,750 |
| 2023 | $67,970 |
| 2024 | $71,510 |
| 2025 | $68,230 |
| 2026 (projected) | $68,230 |
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 | $62,750 | $70,215 |
| 2023 | $67,970 | $74,160 |
| 2024 | $71,510 | $77,423 |
| 2025 | $68,230 | $80,042 |
| 2026 (projected) | $68,230 | $80,042 |
Environmental Scientist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $62,910 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $68,230 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $79,880 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $97,060 |
Environmental Scientist Salary in Other States
Related Environmental Scientist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Environmental Scientist ($68,230 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Environmental Scientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in SD | $83,050 | +21.7% | $39.93/hr |
| Medical Scientist in SD | $80,890 | +18.6% | $38.89/hr |
| Psychologist in SD | $80,130 | +17.4% | $38.52/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SD | $71,180 | +4.3% | $34.22/hr |
| Geoscientist in SD | $71,150 | +4.3% | $34.21/hr |
| Chemist in SD | $67,440 | -1.2% | $32.42/hr |
| Respiratory Therapist in SD | $68,240 | +0.0% | $32.81/hr |
| Human Resources Specialist in SD | $67,590 | -0.9% | $32.50/hr |
| Art Director in SD | $66,610 | -2.4% | $32.02/hr |
| Speech-Language Pathologist in SD | $65,680 | -3.7% | $31.58/hr |
| Radiologic Technologist in SD | $65,240 | -4.4% | $31.37/hr |
| Interior Designer in SD | $65,220 | -4.4% | $31.36/hr |