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Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers Salary in Rapid City, SD

BLS Official DataUpdated 2025-05-31
Median Annual

$59,110

Mean: $59,750

~$46,106 est. take-home

Hourly Rate

$28.42

Based on 2,080 hrs/yr

Cost of Living

100

100 = national avg

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salary in Rapid City, SD — median $59,110/year, range $50,450-$64,060

Salary Distribution

Where the median falls between the 25th and 75th percentile.

25th %

$50,450

Median

$59,110

75th %

$64,060

Median is in the 64th percentile of the typical range

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in other SD cities

Compare the same occupation across cities in SD.

Rapid CityYOU ARE HERE
$59,110
Sioux Falls
$60,820+2.9%

About Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers salaries in Rapid City, SD

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $59,110 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data. The mean salary is $59,750, which tends to skew higher because a small number of high earners pull the average up.

Most heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in this area earn between $50,450 and $64,060. Where you land depends on experience, employer type, and whether you have in-demand specializations.

That works out to roughly $28.42 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year. Actual hourly pay may differ for part-time or contract roles.

Career Outlook

4% growthAs fast as average (BLS 2024–2034)

4% growth, but the real story is the shortage. The industry has been 50,000–80,000 drivers short for years. Companies are raising pay, offering signing bonuses, and improving home-time policies to attract drivers. Autonomous trucks aren't replacing drivers at scale anytime soon.

Worth knowing: Owner-operators (drivers who own their truck) can earn $150K–$200K gross, but expenses are high — truck payments, insurance, fuel, maintenance. Net take-home is usually $80K–$120K after costs.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in Rapid City?

The median — where half earn more and half earn less — is $59,110. The average (mean) is $59,750, which is higher because top earners pull it up.

How much does a heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers make per hour in Rapid City?

About $28.42/hour, based on a standard 2,080-hour work year. Part-time or overtime hours will change the actual rate.

What is the salary range for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers in Rapid City?

The middle 50% earn between $50,450 and $64,060. Below $50,450 is typically entry-level; above $64,060 usually means significant experience or specialized skills.

Salary Conversion Table

How does $59,110 per year break down across different time periods?

PeriodGrossEst. Take-Home
Yearly$59,110$46,106
Monthly$4,926$3,842
Biweekly$2,273$1,773
Weekly$1,137$887
Hourly (40h/wk)$28.42$22.17
Hourly (35h/wk)$32.48$25.33
Hourly (30h/wk)$37.89$29.56
Daily (8h)$227$177

Take-home estimates use an effective tax rate of 22%. Actual amounts vary by filing status, deductions, and state tax.

Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: Highest-Paying Cities in the U.S.

Top 10 cities nationwide for heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers, based on BLS median salary data.

Related Occupations in Rapid City

Similar roles in the same field, ranked by national average salary.

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