Pay data
Average Salary in South Dakota (2026)
The average salary in South Dakota is $57,610 a year and the median is $47,080, 8% below the US median (BLS, May 2025). At national-average prices that median is worth $53,150: 43rd of the 50 states and DC by median wage, 23rd once local prices are taken into account.
- Average (mean) salary
- $57,610US $69,770
- Median salary
- $47,080US $50,980
- Median hourly wage
- $22.63BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Price level
- 88.6US = 100 · BEA 2024
Calculator
Where does your salary rank in South Dakota?
About the 80th percentile
You earn more than about 80% of workers in South Dakota.
At South Dakota prices, $75,000 buys what $84,660 buys at the national average, about the 76th percentile nationally.
Interpolated between the 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th and 90th percentile wages BLS publishes for all occupations (OEWS, May 2025). Wage and salary workers only; excludes the self-employed. Price comparison uses BEA Regional Price Parities.
The spread
What South Dakota workers earn
| Percentile | South Dakota | United States |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $29,300 | $31,200 |
| 25th | $36,030 | $37,590 |
| 50th (median) | $47,080 | $50,980 |
| 75th | $64,020 | $80,520 |
| 90th | $94,900 | $128,560 |
| Mean | $57,610 | $69,770 |
Prices
Cost of living in South Dakota
BEA Regional Price Parities compare price levels across states (US = 100). South Dakota sits at 88.6 overall, with housing at 67.6. To live the way $100,000 pays for at national-average prices, you would need about $88,590 here. Compare any two states or metros.
US = 100
- All items11% below US88.6
- Housing (rents)32% below US67.6
- Goods5% below US95.5
- Utilities20% below US79.7
- Other services8% below US91.9
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| All items | 88.6 |
| Housing (rents) | 67.6 |
| Goods | 95.5 |
| Utilities | 79.7 |
| Other services | 91.9 |
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024
By field
Average salary in South Dakota by occupation group
| Occupation group | Median | vs US | Workers |
|---|---|---|---|
| Management | $110,270 | -13% | 17,580 |
| Legal | $88,400 | -14% | 2,210 |
| Architecture and Engineering | $82,040 | -18% | 6,560 |
| Computer and Mathematical | $81,420 | -25% | 9,670 |
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | $77,740 | -10% | 35,450 |
| Business and Financial Operations | $77,730 | -6% | 25,560 |
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | $65,570 | -21% | 4,700 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair | $58,890 | -1% | 20,090 |
| Protective Service | $52,140 | +4% | 7,540 |
| Community and Social Service | $51,220 | -12% | 8,150 |
| Construction and Extraction | $50,120 | -16% | 26,200 |
| Educational Instruction and Library | $48,850 | -19% | 26,300 |
| Production | $46,220 | -2% | 31,240 |
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media | $46,040 | -27% | 4,880 |
| Office and Administrative Support | $44,010 | -7% | 52,830 |
| Farming, Fishing, and Forestry | $43,630 | +19% | 1,680 |
| Transportation and Material Moving | $40,190 | -9% | 39,670 |
| Healthcare Support | $39,190 | +2% | 16,390 |
| Sales | $37,050 | -4% | 46,500 |
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | $35,170 | -7% | 17,030 |
| Personal Care and Service | $34,830 | -4% | 11,920 |
| Food Preparation and Serving Related | $30,060 | -14% | 45,220 |
The jobs
The jobs behind South Dakota's pay
The most common jobs set the median; the best-paid set the top; the most over-represented jobs show what the state's economy specialises in (location quotient: the state's share of jobs in an occupation over the national share).
Most common jobs
By employment
- 1Fast Food and Counter Worker15,150
- 2Registered Nurse14,710
- 3Retail Salesperson14,180
- 4Cashier12,860
- 5Stocker and Order Filler11,460
- 6Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerk10,200
- 7Janitor and Cleaner, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners8,630
- 8Server7,350
- 9Nursing Assistant6,860
- 10Truck Driver6,470
Highest-paying jobs
Median, 500+ workers
- 1Chief Executive$280,900
- 2Family Medicine Physician$239,970
- 3Financial Manager$159,700
- 4Pharmacist$146,790
- 5General and Operations Manager$137,400
- 6Physician Assistant$133,200
- 7Nurse Practitioner$128,840
- 8Financial Advisor$128,720
- 9Medical and Health Services Manager$122,050
- 10Regulatory Affairs Manager$119,470
Most over-represented
Location quotient, 1,000+ workers
- 1Residential Advisor7.2x
- 2Cook, Short Order4.9x
- 3Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutter and Trimmer4.9x
- 4Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher4.2x
- 5Highway Maintenance Worker4.0x
- 6Loan Interviewer and Clerk3.5x
- 7Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator2.9x
- 8Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator2.8x
- 9Welder2.7x
- 10Parts Salesperson2.6x
Cities
Average salary by city in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median | Mean | Price level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $47,970 | $60,390 | 90.6 |
| Rapid City, SD | $46,270 | $57,850 | 89.2 |
Compare
States with similar pay
Method
About these numbers
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, all occupations in South Dakota. Wage and salary workers only; excludes the self-employed.
- Wages are straight-time pay before tax, including commissions and tips, excluding overtime premiums, bonuses and benefits.
- Price levels are BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. Price-adjusted pay is a NueCareer calculation (wage ÷ RPP/100).
Questions
Average salary in South Dakota: FAQ
What is the average salary in South Dakota?
The average (mean) annual wage in South Dakota is $57,610 and the median is $47,080, 8% below the US median of $50,980 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). That covers 457,380 wage and salary workers in all occupations.
What is the average hourly wage in South Dakota?
$27.70 an hour on average and $22.63 at the median (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What is a good salary in South Dakota?
Above $47,080 out-earns half of South Dakota workers; the top 25% start at $64,020 and the top 10% at $94,900 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Prices in South Dakota run 11% below the national average (BEA, 2024), so $100,000 here buys about what $112,880 buys nationally.
Is South Dakota expensive to live in?
BEA puts overall prices in South Dakota at 88.6 against a US average of 100 (2024). Housing is 67.6, goods 95.5, utilities 79.7 and other services 91.9. To match a $100,000 national-average lifestyle you would need about $88,590 here.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
Chief Executive ($280,900), Family Medicine Physician ($239,970), Financial Manager ($159,700), Pharmacist ($146,790), General and Operations Manager ($137,400) have the highest median wages among occupations with at least 500 workers in South Dakota (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
What are the most common jobs in South Dakota?
Fast Food and Counter Worker (15,150), Registered Nurse (14,710), Retail Salesperson (14,180), Cashier (12,860), Stocker and Order Filler (11,460) employ the most people (BLS OEWS, May 2025).