Salary guide, May 2025

Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) pay in South Dakota

Manufacturing Headhunters uses the published BLS OEWS figures below. They describe the mapped occupation and area, not an individual offer.

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The median annual wage for Production Workers, All Other in South Dakota was $44,910 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $38,920 and $51,770.

The South Dakota median is $4,800 above the national median of $40,110, both from BLS May 2025.

Broader occupation · SOC 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other

Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.

What should you know about south Dakota?

Production Workers, All Other in South Dakota: median $44,910; published 25th to 75th percentile $38,920 to $51,770.

Annual wage percentiles, South Dakota
10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
$37,540	$38,920	$44,910	$51,770	$63,170

Production Workers, All Other in South Dakota: median $21.59; published 25th to 75th percentile $18.71 to $24.89.

Hourly wage percentiles, South Dakota
10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
$18.05	$18.71	$21.59	$24.89	$30.37

BLS estimated 140 workers employed in this occupation in South Dakota. Location quotient: 0.19.

What should you know about united States?

Production Workers, All Other in U.S.: median $40,110; published 25th to 75th percentile $36,030 to $49,010.

Annual wage percentiles, U.S.
10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
$31,200	$36,030	$40,110	$49,010	$61,530

Production Workers, All Other in U.S.: median $19.29; published 25th to 75th percentile $17.32 to $23.56.

Hourly wage percentiles, U.S.
10th	25th	Median	75th	90th
$15.00	$17.32	$19.29	$23.56	$29.58

What should you know about earlier release?

BLS May 2024 has no published row for this occupation in South Dakota, so no release comparison is shown.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other, South Dakota. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-9199 Production Workers, All Other, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.

What should you know about nearby areas?

Nearby areas, Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender)
Area	Median	25th to 75th
Bismarck, ND	$49,600	$45,400 to $59,850
Fargo, ND-MN	$44,880	$41,600 to $46,400

All roles in South Dakota · National page · Paper Machine Operator (Machine Tender) ranked across metros