The average annual salaries for zoologists and wildlife biologists in the state of South Dakota are shown in Table 1. The comparison of the salary statistics of zoologists and wildlife biologists among South Dakota areas is shown in Table 2. The salary statistics are based on the national compensation survey conducted by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2022 and published in April 2023 [1].
| Percentile bracket | Average annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile Wage | $43,040 |
| 25th Percentile Wage | $48,730 |
| 50th Percentile Wage | $58,490 |
| 75th Percentile Wage | $64,710 |
| 90th Percentile Wage | $86,070 |
Table 1 shows the average annual salary for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota in 5 percentile scales. The average annual salary for the 90th percentile (the top 10 percent of the highest paid) is $86,070. The median (50th percentile) annual salary is $58,490. The average annual salary for the bottom 10 percent is $43,040.
The table and chart below show the trend of the median salary of zoologists and wildlife biologists from 2012 to 2022.
| Year | Median Salary | Yearly Growth | 10-Year Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $58,490 | 4.15% | 23.49% |
| 2021 | $56,060 | 1.09% | - |
| 2020 | $55,450 | 2.94% | - |
| 2019 | $53,820 | 4.01% | - |
| 2018 | $51,660 | -1.26% | - |
| 2017 | $52,310 | -0.25% | - |
| 2016 | $52,440 | 1.54% | - |
| 2015 | $51,630 | 4.96% | - |
| 2014 | $49,070 | 5.58% | - |
| 2013 | $46,330 | 3.41% | - |
| 2012 | $44,750 | - | - |
Table 3 shows the median annual salary of zoologists and wildlife biologists in some South Dakota cities and metropolitan areas. We note that the median annual salary of zoologists and wildlife biologists in state of South Dakota ranges from $58,200 to $59,220. The highest paying area for zoologists and wildlife biologists in South Dakota is Western South Dakota nonmetropolitan area with a median annual salary of $59,220. The second highest paying city/area in South Dakota State is Rapid City (mean annual salary $58,750). The lowest paying area is Eastern South Dakota nonmetropolitan area with a median annual salary of $58,200.
| Cities/Areas | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Western South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | |
| Rapid City | |
| Eastern South Dakota nonmetropolitan area |