AI Transportation Planner.
Sioux Falls.
$98,000
median salary, 18% below the national average
$73,000 to $126,000. Last updated April 2026.
Get the job.
Data points to own the conversation.
If you are evaluating a AI Transportation Planner offer in Sioux Falls, SD, here is the reality: $73,000 to $126,000, with $98,000 as the midpoint. 18% below the national average. Compensation reflects the intersection of transportation planning expertise and ML engineering capability. Do not accept the first number.
Salary range
Where do you fall?
Salary by experience
The gap between entry and lead level is typically $88,000. Where you land depends on years of experience and what you bring to the table.
Entry (0-2 yrs)
$64,000
to $78,000
Mid (3-5 yrs)
$83,000
to $103,000
Senior (6-9 yrs)
$108,000
to $127,000
Lead (10+ yrs)
$123,000
to $152,000
Salary trend
+9% YoYTotal compensation
Base salary is not the full picture. Equity, bonus, and signing can add $48,000 to the total package.
Base
$98,000
Equity
$29,000
Bonus
$13,000
Signing
$6,000
Estimated total: $146,000
How Sioux Falls compares
Sioux Falls, SD
$98,000
Cost of living: 15% below average
National Average
$120,000
Sioux Falls is $22,000 below
AI Transportation Planner salary by city
Salary by role in Sioux Falls
What you should know
Here is what the AI Transportation Planner market actually looks like in Sioux Falls. Sioux Falls is South Dakota's largest city and a growing financial services hub, home to major credit card operations for Citibank and Wells Fargo. The city's no state income tax and very low cost of living create exceptional take home pay ratios. Healthcare and agriculture round out the economy. Compensation reflects the intersection of transportation planning expertise and ML engineering capability. Planners who can build predictive traffic models, optimize transit networks, and design AI-powered mobility solutions earn premiums. Experience with simulation, agent-based modeling, and real-time optimization for urban transportation systems drives higher salaries.
Junior AI transportation planners start at $78,000 to $95,000. Mid-level planners building production traffic prediction systems reach $112,000 to $140,000. Senior planners leading AI mobility programs earn $145,000 to $175,000. Directors of AI transportation at transit agencies or mobility companies can reach $190,000 to $240,000. In Sioux Falls, your dollars stretch further. Cost of living runs 15% below the national average, which means even a median salary buys a stronger lifestyle.
Base salary is not the full picture. Government positions offer strong benefits including pensions and job security. Consulting rates for independent AI transportation experts range from $200 to $400 per hour. Equity at mobility tech companies adds $10,000 to $45,000 annually. Academic positions offer research freedom but lower base pay. And on the tax side: south Dakota has no state income tax. Sioux Falls has no city income tax. This zero income tax environment is a major draw for high earners seeking maximum take home pay. When someone quotes you $98,000, ask what the total package looks like. The gap between base and total comp is where real money hides.
On negotiation: Use the zero income tax advantage in negotiations. Sioux Falls employers know this is a major recruiting tool and will frame compensation accordingly. The range for AI Transportation Planners in Sioux Falls runs from $73,000 to $126,000. That is not a narrow window. Where you land inside it depends almost entirely on whether you negotiate and how well you prepare.
Sources: SEC filings, H-1B LCA (DOL), BLS OES, 50+ job posting platforms. COL: BEA Regional Price Parities (2025). Data verified by Justin Bartak, Founder & Chief AI Officer. Last verified April 8, 2026. Full methodology
Considering a related role?
- A GEO/AEO Specialist in Sioux Falls earns $97,000 (1% less)
- The highest-paying role in Sioux Falls is Distinguished Engineer at $292,000
Common questions.
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