As of April 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Oceanographer in South Dakota is $71,443, equivalent to $34 per hour, $1,374 weekly, or $5,954 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Oceanographer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Oceanographer in South Dakota vary widely, spanning from $53,011 to $92,836. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($61,795) and 75th percentile ($82,641), while top earners (90th percentile) make $92,836 per year. This $20,846 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, South Dakota Oceanographer often earn 9.1% lower than national averages due to demand from Fortune 0 companies. However, South Dakota currently ranks 48 nationwide for Oceanographer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.
