Geoscientist Salary in South Dakota
Based on 80+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$71,150
$34.21/hr
vs National Average
$90,668
-21.5% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$61K – $79K
80 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Geoscientist in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $61,290 |
| 25th percentile | $64,990 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $71,150 |
| 75th percentile | $75,990 |
| 90th percentile | $78,560 |
Top-Paying Industries for Geoscientist (U.S.)
Which industries pay Geoscientists the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Geoscientists in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $168,680 | 910 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $158,590 | 4K |
| Utilities | $133,170 | 120 |
| Manufacturing | $131,040 | 110 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $122,390 | 30 |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Geoscientist in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,150 |
| 2026 (projected) | $73,285 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $71,150 | $90,668 |
| 2026 (projected) | $73,285 | $93,388 |
Geoscientist Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $64,990 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $71,150 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $75,990 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $78,560 |
Geoscientist Salary in Other States
Related Geoscientist Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Geoscientist ($71,150 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Geoscientist | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physicist in SD | $83,050 | +16.7% | $39.93/hr |
| Medical Scientist in SD | $80,890 | +13.7% | $38.89/hr |
| Psychologist in SD | $80,130 | +12.6% | $38.52/hr |
| Urban and Regional Planner in SD | $71,180 | +0.0% | $34.22/hr |
| Environmental Scientist in SD | $68,230 | -4.1% | $32.80/hr |
| Chemist in SD | $67,440 | -5.2% | $32.42/hr |
| Insurance Sales Agent in SD | $71,990 | +1.2% | $34.61/hr |
| Compliance Officer in SD | $72,630 | +2.1% | $34.92/hr |
| Credit Analyst in SD | $73,040 | +2.7% | $35.12/hr |
| Purchasing Agent in SD | $73,990 | +4.0% | $35.57/hr |
| Respiratory Therapist in SD | $68,240 | -4.1% | $32.81/hr |
| Human Resources Specialist in SD | $67,590 | -5.0% | $32.50/hr |