As of November 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Oceanographer in Rapid City, SD is $69,913, equivalent to $34 per hour, $1,344 weekly, or $5,826 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Oceanographer in cities like San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco.
Annually Salaries for Oceanographer in Rapid City, SD vary widely, spanning from $51,910 to $90,837. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($60,489) and 75th percentile ($80,865), while top earners (90th percentile) make $90,837 per year. This $20,376 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Analysis or Microsoft Office, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, Rapid City Oceanographer often earn 2.0% lower than national averages. However, Rapid City currently ranks 764 statewide for Oceanographer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
