Translator & Interpreter salary in South Dakota
In South Dakota, a typical translator earned $53,140 a year in May 2025 (median), with an average of $56,360. About 230 people work in this occupation there.
That is 12% below the national median of $60,170. Compared with all occupations in South Dakota (median $47,080), translators earn 13% more. With a location quotient of 1.50, the occupation is more concentrated here than in the US as a whole.
Pay varies widely: the lowest-paid 10% earned less than $36,730, while the top 10% earned more than $75,320. Many translators are self-employed, and BLS wage surveys cover employees only, so freelance income can differ.
Pay distribution
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,730 | $17.66 |
| 25th | $47,040 | $22.61 |
| Median | $53,140 | $25.55 |
| 75th | $65,210 | $31.35 |
| 90th | $75,320 | $36.21 |
Metro areas in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $53,700 | 70 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $53,140 | 130 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025. Estimates exclude self-employed workers; "—" means the estimate was not released.