Transportation & Logistics Rapid City, SD Pop. 74,703

Operations Manager Salary in Rapid City, South Dakota

The median operations manager salary in Rapid City, SD is $93,285 per year, which is 10% below the national median and 2.3% above the South Dakota state average.

City Median
$93,285
vs State Avg
+$2,073
vs National
$-10,365
Cost of Living
90%

Operations Manager Pay in Rapid City: What to Expect (2026)

Rapid City offers a median operations manager salary of $93,285, which is $2,073 above the South Dakota state average of $91,212. Compared to the national median of $103,650, Rapid City pays below the national benchmark for this role.

Rapid City's cost of living is 90% of the national average, meaning salary figures here closely reflect actual purchasing power. This makes direct comparisons to other cities straightforward.

The salary range for operations managers in Rapid City spans from $52,200 at the 10th percentile to $166,500 at the 90th percentile — a $114,300 spread. Entry-level professionals start around $55,800, while senior operations managers with 8+ years of experience can earn up to $157,500. Rapid City is a smaller market (pop. 74,703), which may mean fewer openings but also less competition for available positions.

Operations Manager Salary in Rapid City by Experience

In Rapid City, an entry-level operations manager earns around $55,800, while experienced professionals earn up to $157,500 per year. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$55,800
$-6,200 vs national
Mid Level (3-7 yrs)
$95,400
$-10,600 vs national
Senior Level (8+ yrs)
$157,500
$-17,500 vs national

Salary Percentiles in Rapid City, SD

Percentile Rapid City
10th Percentile $52,200
25th Percentile $68,400
Median (50th) $93,285
75th Percentile $126,000
90th Percentile $166,500

Operations Manager Salary in Other South Dakota Cities

How to Become a Operations Manager in Rapid City

Education

Most operations manager positions require a bachelor's degree. Rapid City and the surrounding South Dakota area have institutions offering relevant programs.

Key Skills

Operations ManagementProcess ImprovementBudgetingLeadershipSix SigmaData Analysis

Job Outlook

Nationally, operations manager employment is projected to grow 6% over the next decade (faster than average). Demand in Rapid City may vary based on local industry and population growth.

Find Operations Manager Jobs in Rapid City

Browse open operations manager positions in Rapid City, SD:

Frequently Asked Questions: Operations Manager Salary in Rapid City

How much does a Operations Manager make in Rapid City, SD? ▼
The median operations manager salary in Rapid City, South Dakota is $93,285 per year, which is 10% below the national median of $103,650. Salaries range from $52,200 (10th percentile) to $166,500 (90th percentile).
How much does a Operations Manager make per hour in Rapid City? ▼
Based on the median annual salary of $93,285, a operations manager in Rapid City earns approximately $45 per hour assuming a standard 2,080-hour work year.
How does Rapid City compare to the South Dakota state average for operations manager pay? ▼
Rapid City's median operations manager salary of $93,285 is 2.3% above the South Dakota state average of $91,212. The local cost of living index is 90% of the national average.
What is the cost of living in Rapid City, SD? ▼
Rapid City has a cost of living index of 90% compared to the national average. This means a operations manager salary of $93,285 in Rapid City has more purchasing power than the same salary in an average-cost city.
What qualifications do I need to become a operations manager in Rapid City? ▼
Most operations manager positions in Rapid City require a bachelor's degree. Key skills include Operations Management, Process Improvement, Budgeting, Leadership. The job market is projected to grow 6% nationally over the next decade.