Difference From U.S. Median
-$4,120
Median Hourly Wage
$36.42
Aircraft Mechanics Employed
150
Median Pay Rank Among States
30th of 50
Source: BLS OEWS
Only 150 people work as aircraft mechanics and service technicians in South Dakota, about 0.1% of the national total and the 49th-largest workforce among the 50 states. Even with so few in the field, the aircraft mechanic salary in South Dakota holds up: a median of $75,750 a year, or $36.42 an hour, per BLS OEWS data for May 2025, trailing the $79,870 U.S. median by $4,120.
The state has just 1 FAA Part 147 school, Lake Area Technical College in Watertown, where the full program runs $29,552, about 4.7 months of the state's median pay. For a workforce this size, that single program carries the entire in-state training pipeline.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Dakota by Percentile
| Percentile | South Dakota | United States | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $51,160 | $48,780 | +$2,380 |
| 25th percentile | $63,900 | $62,630 | +$1,270 |
| Median (50th) | $75,750 | $79,870 | -$4,120 |
| 75th percentile | $83,080 | $99,130 | -$16,050 |
| 90th percentile | $89,360 | $128,890 | -$39,530 |
| Mean (average) | $75,360 | $84,740 | -$9,380 |
Rank among states: 30th of 50. All 50 states compared
Avionics Technician and Related Aviation Pay in South Dakota
| Occupation | Employed | South Dakota Median | U.S. Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aircraft mechanics and service technicians | 150 | $75,750 | $79,870 |
| Avionics technicians | 40 | $83,220 | $82,280 |
| Transportation inspectors | 100 | $70,080 | $92,100 |
South Dakota's Small Aircraft Mechanic Workforce
South Dakota employs just 150 aircraft mechanics and service technicians, about 0.1% of the national total, the 49th-largest state workforce for the job. That scarcity doesn't drag pay down: the $75,750 median is within $4,120 of the U.S. figure, and the tenth percentile alone reaches $51,160, above the $48,780 national tenth-percentile mark.
Training Costs Against South Dakota Pay
Lake Area Technical College in Watertown is South Dakota's only FAA-approved Part 147 program, with an estimated total cost of $29,552 for the 2026 cohort. That price equals about 4.7 months of pay at the state's $75,750 median wage.
Aircraft Mechanic Salary in South Dakota vs. Neighboring States
Aviation Maintenance Schools in South Dakota
FAA-approved schools in South Dakota: 1. Compare South Dakota programs
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Do Aircraft Mechanics Make in South Dakota?
How Many Aircraft Mechanics Work in South Dakota?
Where Can I Train as an Aircraft Mechanic in South Dakota?
Is Aircraft Mechanic Training Worth the Cost in South Dakota?
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025: national, state, metropolitan area, and industry estimates
- FAA AV-Info Part 147 school records
All sources retrieved .