Hourly PayWhat $11.85 an hour comes to
| Working time | Pay before tax |
|---|---|
| 8-hour day | $94.80 |
| 40-hour week | $474.00 |
| Month (one twelfth of a year) | $2,054.00 |
| Year (2,080 hours) | $24,648.00 |
Plain multiplication for a full-time worker paid for every hour, before tax and deductions. It is not a statement of what any employer pays.
How it compares
At $11.85, the state rate is 63% above the federal minimum of $7.25. Over a 2,080-hour year that difference is $9,568 before tax. 34 of the 50 states and territories with a rate in the table are above the federal minimum; South Dakota is number 26 from the top. The median hourly wage of all employees in South Dakota was $22.63 in May 2025 (Bureau of Labor Statistics): half earned more, half less. The $11.85 minimum is 52% of that median.
What the Department of Labor's table says about South Dakota
- Basic Minimum Rate (per hour): $11.85
- The minimum wage is adjusted annually based on a set formula.
Quoted from the Department's page as updated on 5 November 2026.
Before you rely on a rate
- Cities and counties in some states set their own, higher minimum wage. This page shows the state entry only.
- Workers who receive tips, young workers, trainees and some small employers can come under different rates or exemptions.
- Where a state rate and the federal rate both apply, the worker is entitled to the higher one.
- Rates are usually changed on 1 January or 1 July. Check the date at the top of this page.
Common questions
What is the minimum wage in South Dakota?
$11.85 an hour, as listed by the U.S. Department of Labor on 5 November 2026.
How much is South Dakota minimum wage for a full-time year?
$11.85 an hour for 2,080 hours comes to $24,648 before tax.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, "State Minimum Wage Laws", page updated 5 November 2026; checked in November 2026. Rates change, often on 1 January or 1 July, and some cities and counties set higher rates of their own. This is general information, not legal advice: confirm the rate that applies to you with your state labour office or at dol.gov.