BLS OEWS 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
National mean: $51,040/year · South Dakota: $49,910/year · Difference: -$1,130/year
| Metric | South Dakota | National |
|---|---|---|
| Mean Annual Wage | $49,910 | $51,040 |
| Mean Hourly Wage | $23.99 | $24.54 |
| Median Annual Wage | $47,010 | $46,240 |
| Median Hourly Wage | $22.60 | $22.23 |
| Drivers Employed | 9.8K | 1,811K |
Source: BLS OEWS May 2023 — SOC 53-3032: Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
The average (mean) truck driver salary in South Dakota is $49,910 per year ($23.99/hr) according to BLS OEWS 2023 data (SOC 53-3032). The median is $47,010/year. Approximately 9.8 thousand drivers work in this category in South Dakota.
South Dakota ranks #38 out of 50 states. The national mean is $51,040/year; South Dakota is $1,130 lower (-2.2%).
Pay depends on freight volume, proximity to major distribution hubs and ports, cost of living, employer type (private fleet vs. for-hire), experience, CDL endorsements, and route type (OTR vs. regional vs. local). Specialized freight — hazmat, reefer, flatbed, oversized — typically pays a premium over dry van rates in any state.