How much does a Pilot make in South Dakota?

The average Pilot salary in South Dakota is around $219,000 per year. After federal taxes, FICA, and South Dakota state taxes, your estimated take-home pay is approximately $162,831 annually ($13,569/month).

What is the take-home pay for a Pilot in South Dakota?

On a $219,000 salary in South Dakota, your take-home pay is approximately $162,831/year or $13,569/month. Federal tax: $41,384. State tax: $0. FICA: $14,786.

Is $219,000 a good Pilot salary?

$219,000 is a strong salary for a Pilot — above the national median. In South Dakota, demand for this role is active.

How do South Dakota taxes affect Pilot salaries?

South Dakota levies state income tax on top of federal taxes. Your estimated state tax on $219,000 is $0. Your total effective tax rate is approximately 25.6%.

What are the career growth prospects for Pilots?

4% growth through 2032 (about as fast as average). Related roles include: Airline Pilot, Commercial Pilot, Captain, First Officer, Corporate Pilot, Cargo Pilot.

How can a Pilot in South Dakota reduce their tax bill?

Maximize your 401(k) contribution ($24,500 in 2026) to reduce taxable income. An HSA ($4,400 single / $8,750 family) adds further pre-tax savings. These strategies can save thousands annually — use our calculator to see your exact savings.

Transportation

Pilot Salary in South Dakota (2026)

Average Pilot pay in South Dakota

$219,000/year

≈ $105/hour before tax

After tax (single filer)

$162,831/year

$13,569/month · effective tax rate 25.65%

Federal $41,384
FICA $14,786
Take-home

Pay by role in South Dakota

Senior Captain (Ellsworth AFB B-1B / B-21)$135,000–$215,000+ bonus
Senior Captain (Iowa ANG 114th FW F-16)$118,000–$185,000+ bonus
Senior Captain (Regional / Envoy / SkyWest)$135,000–$215,000+ bonus
Senior Captain (Major / Delta / United DSM commute)$215,000–$385,000+ bonus
Senior First Officer (Regional / Mainline)$135,000–$255,000+ bonus
Senior FO (SkyWest / Regional)$85,000–$145,000+ bonus

See all 10 roles with notes

See the full tax breakdown

Category	Amount
Annual Take-Home Pay	$162,831
Monthly Take-Home Pay	$13,569
Biweekly Take-Home Pay	$6,263
Hourly Take-Home Pay based on 2,080 hrs/year	$78/hr
Federal Tax	$41,384
State Tax	$0
FICA Taxes	$14,786
Effective Tax Rate total taxes ÷ gross salary	25.65%

Estimates only — not tax advice. · Full disclaimer →

Not all Pilots earn the same — not even close

South Dakota's pilot market is anchored by Ellsworth Air Force Base Rapid City (~8K + 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer pilots + post-2024 B-21 Raider main operating base selection pilots + 89th Attack Squadron + Powder River Training Complex), South Dakota Air National Guard 114th Fighter Wing Sioux Falls Joe Foss Field (the substantial SD ANG 114th FW F-16 + the substantial post-2024 114th FW post-F-16 transition), South Dakota Army National Guard 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade Rapid City + Camp Rapid + Camp Pickstown UH-60 Black Hawk, the substantial SD medevac (Sanford LifeFlight + Avera eCARE air medical + Black Hills LifeFlight Rapid City), Sioux Falls Regional Airport FSD + Rapid City Regional Airport RAP + the substantial Big Sioux Air Service, plus the substantial SD corporate aviation + the substantial SD agricultural aviation crop dusting + the substantial Black Hills aerial firefighting.

Senior Captain (Ellsworth AFB B-1B / B-21)

$135,000–$215,000+ bonus

Ellsworth 28th BW B-1B + post-2024 B-21 Raider · cleared TS/SCI + flight hour pay

Senior Captain (Iowa ANG 114th FW F-16)

$118,000–$185,000+ bonus

114th FW Sioux Falls Joe Foss Field F-16 · cleared + ANG

Senior Captain (Regional / Envoy / SkyWest)

$135,000–$215,000+ bonus

Envoy + SkyWest + GoJet regional captain · transitioning to mainline · DSM commute

Senior Captain (Major / Delta / United DSM commute)

$215,000–$385,000+ bonus

Senior mainline captain commuting from FSD or RAP · narrowbody + widebody

Senior First Officer (Regional / Mainline)

$135,000–$255,000+ bonus

Senior FO at regional + mainline · transitioning to captain

Senior FO (SkyWest / Regional)

$85,000–$145,000+ bonus

Regional FO at SkyWest + Envoy + GoJet · transitioning to captain

Senior Corporate Pilot

$155,000–$258,000+ benefits

Corporate pilot · the substantial SD private jet + Sanford fleet

Senior Medevac / Ag Aviation Pilot

$108,000–$172,000+ flight pay

Sanford LifeFlight + Avera air medical + Black Hills LifeFlight + SD crop dusting

Mid-Career Pilot (5-10 yrs)

$88,000–$145,000

Regional or military pilot · transitioning to major carrier

New Pilot (CFI / Flight Instructor)

$40,000–$58,000+ hours

New CFI + flight instructor · building hours at FSD + RAP + Brookings flight schools

Worth knowing: Ellsworth Air Force Base 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer + post-2024 B-21 Raider main operating base is one of the country's distinctive concentrated US single-state strategic bomber pilot anchor and a feature most national pilot surveys understate for SD. Ellsworth Air Force Base Rapid City (~8K + 28th Bomb Wing B-1B Lancer pilots + the substantial post-2024 B-21 Raider main operating base selection as one of the country's first US B-21 Raider basing decisions + the substantial Ellsworth B-21 pilot training pipeline + the substantial Ellsworth Powder River Training Complex serving substantial cross-state SD + WY + MT bomber training range + the substantial 89th Attack Squadron MQ-9 Reaper relocated to Ellsworth + the substantial 28th Operations Group) supports substantial SD strategic bomber + cleared pilot work. Senior Ellsworth B-1B + B-21 captains clear $135-215K+ bonus with cleared TS/SCI + flight hour pay. SD ANG 114th FW Sioux Falls F-16 + post-2024 114th FW transition + SD Army NG 196th MEB UH-60 + Camp Rapid + the substantial Sanford LifeFlight + Avera eCARE air medical + Black Hills LifeFlight medevac + the substantial SD corporate aviation + agricultural aviation crop dusting. SD 0% state income tax + SD RTW since 1946 anchor the SD pilot proposition.

Sources & Methodology

Salary figures are market estimates for Pilots in South Dakota and vary by employer, specialty, seniority, and metro. Take-home math assumes a single filer with no dependents, the standard deduction, and no state income tax (South Dakota levies none). Local taxes, insurance premiums, and pre-tax contributions will move your number — run the calculator for your own situation.

Want to model 401(k), HSA, or pre-tax contributions against your full salary? Open the salary calculator →

Got a year-end bonus, sign-on, or retention payout? See the bonus calculator →

Working overtime? The 2025 OBBBA deduction may save you up to $12,500 on federal tax. Open the No Tax on Overtime calculator →

Key terms:···

Typical Pilot Salary by Experience (National)

US-wide ranges, not South Dakota figures. Each link shows the South Dakota taxes on that salary.

Entry Level (0–3 yrs)

$100,000

/year

Mid Level (3–7 yrs)

$219,000

/year

Senior Level (7+ yrs)

$380,000

/year

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Frequently Asked Questions

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Pilot Salary in Other States

Pilot Salary in California →Pilot Salary in Texas →Pilot Salary in New York →Pilot Salary in Florida →Pilot Salary in Washington →

More on South Dakota

All Professions in South Dakota →

Salaries by profession, top-paying roles by industry, and an economic breakdown for South Dakota in 2026.

South Dakota State Income Tax Guide →

Tax brackets, standard deductions, and take-home estimates for South Dakota in 2026.

South Dakota Paycheck Calculator →

Adjust filing status, 401(k) for your exact 2026 take-home in South Dakota.