Salaries in South Dakota: pay for 567 occupations, May 2025

Across all occupations, employees in South Dakota had a median pay of $47,080 a year ($22.63 an hour) in May 2025, with 457,380 jobs counted. That is 8% below the national median of $50,980.

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Occupation	Median a year	Median an hour	Jobs
Accountants and Auditors	$78,880	$37.92	5,820
Adhesive Bonding Machine Operators and Tenders	not published	not published	60
Administrative Services Managers	$106,410	$51.16	450
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors	$35,760	$17.19	100
Advertising Sales Agents	$60,190	$28.94	390
Agricultural Equipment Operators	$48,060	$23.11	240
Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$98,220	not published	110
Agricultural Technicians	$41,420	$19.91	350
Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$75,750	$36.42	150
Airfield Operations Specialists	$37,860	$18.20	190
Ambulance Drivers and Attendants, Except Emergency Medical Technicians	$29,190	$14.04	160
Amusement and Recreation Attendants	$29,730	$14.29	1,850
Anesthesiologists	$239,200 or more	$115.00 or more	210
Animal Breeders	$44,850	$21.56	40
Animal Caretakers	$30,390	$14.61	1,110
Animal Control Workers	$45,530	$21.89	50
Animal Scientists	$77,300	$37.16	90
Animal Trainers	$38,120	$18.33	30
Anthropologists and Archeologists	$63,130	$30.35	40
Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	$102,500	$49.28	180
Architectural and Civil Drafters	$52,470	$25.23	460
Architectural and Engineering Managers	$164,330	$79.00	310
Art Directors	$66,610	$32.02	30
Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,380	not published	200
Athletic Trainers	$58,620	not published	150
Atmospheric and Space Scientists	$78,900	$37.93	130
Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,160	not published	70
Audiologists	$91,190	$43.84	40
Audiovisual Equipment Installers and Repairers	$38,860	$18.68	60
Automotive Body and Related Repairers	$49,460	$23.78	800
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	$51,160	$24.60	2,010
Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants	$36,050	$17.33	650
Avionics Technicians	$83,220	$40.01	40
Baggage Porters and Bellhops	$27,490	$13.22	40
Bakers	$38,340	$18.43	330
Bartenders	$29,400	$14.14	3,930
Bicycle Repairers	$31,500	$15.15	80
Bill and Account Collectors	$46,620	$22.42	1,120
Billing and Posting Clerks	$46,180	$22.20	770
Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$76,570	not published	160
Biological Scientists, All Other	$73,920	$35.54	170
Biological Technicians	$41,300	$19.86	230
Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks	$46,340	$22.28	10,200
Brickmasons and Blockmasons	$60,380	$29.03	320
Broadcast Announcers and Radio Disc Jockeys	$40,630	$19.53	230
Broadcast Technicians	$32,150	$15.46	40
Brokerage Clerks	$56,080	$26.96	130
Budget Analysts	$79,180	$38.07	120
Bus Drivers, School	$39,730	$19.10	1,290
Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity	$41,590	$19.99	410
Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	$58,120	$27.94	1,340
Business Operations Specialists, All Other	$85,340	$41.03	940
Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,650	not published	260
Butchers and Meat Cutters	$37,310	$17.94	520
Buyers and Purchasing Agents	$73,990	$35.57	1,180
Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters	$45,950	$22.09	440
Camera Operators, Television, Video, and Film	$44,160	$21.23	50
Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	$67,290	$32.35	200
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,940	$35.07	350
Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	$56,070	not published	360
Cargo and Freight Agents	$64,340	$30.94	200
Carpenters	$48,140	$23.14	4,560
Carpet Installers	$40,420	$19.43	80
Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	$72,910	$35.05	140
Cashiers	$29,780	$14.32	12,860
Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers	$47,160	$22.67	2,550
Chefs and Head Cooks	$48,470	$23.30	300
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders	$48,830	$23.48	230
Chemical Plant and System Operators	$59,970	$28.83	180
Chemical Technicians	$49,030	$23.57	90
Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,810	not published	70
Chemists	$67,440	$32.42	170
Chief Executives	$280,900	$135.05	510
Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$51,100	$24.57	2,050
Childcare Workers	$27,940	$13.43	2,370
Chiropractors	$76,210	$36.64	260
Choreographers	$40,320	$19.39	250
Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$60,880	$29.27	460
Civil Engineers	$98,700	$47.45	1,440
Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	$78,900	$37.93	1,030
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment	$35,050	$16.85	1,510
Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders	$44,770	$21.53	60
Clergy	$59,860	$28.78	140
Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	$60,890	$29.28	1,280
Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$80,130	$38.52	120
Coaches and Scouts	$36,360	not published	1,290
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$47,980	$23.07	1,150
Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers	$43,860	$21.09	290
Commercial Pilots	$83,710	not published	320
Commercial and Industrial Designers	$60,110	$28.90	190
Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$71,300	not published	80
Community Health Workers	$45,700	$21.97	270
Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	$64,630	$31.07	630
Compliance Officers	$72,630	$34.92	1,130
Computer Hardware Engineers	$101,400	$48.75	160
Computer Network Architects	$153,390	$73.75	420
Computer Network Support Specialists	$53,650	$25.79	480
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	$50,750	$24.40	1,420
Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	$66,650	$32.04	80
Computer Occupations, All Other	$105,370	$50.66	240
Computer Programmers	$58,240	$28.00	70
Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,540	not published	150
Computer Systems Analysts	$99,790	$47.98	1,110
Computer User Support Specialists	$48,260	$23.20	1,240
Computer and Information Systems Managers	$162,240	$78.00	380
Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	$59,700	$28.70	300
Conservation Scientists	$76,400	$36.73	360
Construction Laborers	$45,710	$21.98	1,780
Construction Managers	$118,380	$56.91	1,070
Construction and Building Inspectors	$64,940	$31.22	200
Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	$98,090	$47.16	150
Conveyor Operators and Tenders	$44,890	$21.58	500
Cooks, Fast Food	$30,950	$14.88	1,720
Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria	$36,730	$17.66	2,120
Cooks, Restaurant	$36,220	$17.42	1,890
Cooks, Short Order	$32,380	$15.57	2,000
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders	$45,520	$21.89	80
Correctional Officers and Jailers	$53,040	$25.50	1,490
Cost Estimators	$74,950	$36.04	1,030
Counter and Rental Clerks	$36,400	$17.50	690
Couriers and Messengers	$31,650	$15.22	80
Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	$75,210	$36.16	40
Court, Municipal, and License Clerks	$43,850	$21.08	920
Crane and Tower Operators	$71,000	$34.13	120
Credit Analysts	$73,040	$35.11	430
Credit Counselors	$48,890	$23.50	not published
Crossing Guards and Flaggers	$46,940	$22.57	60
Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$48,330	$23.24	120
Curators	$74,990	$36.05	50
Customer Service Representatives	$40,650	$19.54	6,120
Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$44,980	$21.63	460
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,060	$22.15	490
Data Entry Keyers	$34,320	$16.50	30
Data Scientists	$96,150	$46.22	220
Database Administrators	$82,540	$39.69	170
Database Architects	$136,540	$65.64	40
Demonstrators and Product Promoters	$29,560	$14.21	70
Dental Assistants	$47,900	$23.03	1,290
Dental Hygienists	$92,210	$44.33	630
Dental Laboratory Technicians	$48,370	$23.25	120
Dentists, General	$158,140	$76.03	390
Detectives and Criminal Investigators	$77,730	$37.37	250
Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$80,820	$38.85	370
Dietitians and Nutritionists	$64,890	$31.20	210
Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers	$29,920	$14.39	2,550
Directors, Religious Activities and Education	$53,360	$25.65	50
Disc Jockeys, Except Radio	not published	$27.27	50
Dishwashers	$28,190	$13.56	1,240
Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance	$43,920	$21.12	860
Driver/Sales Workers	$45,050	$21.66	1,050
Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers	$48,850	$23.49	360
Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	$57,160	$27.48	80
Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$85,700	not published	40
Editors	$56,730	$27.28	140
Education Administrators, All Other	$108,990	$52.40	110
Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	$88,390	not published	680
Education Administrators, Postsecondary	$126,160	$60.65	240
Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,350	not published	190
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	$63,240	$30.41	150
Educational Instruction and Library Workers, All Other	$63,010	$30.29	110
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$51,830	$24.92	1,000
Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers	$50,150	$24.11	60
Electrical Engineers	$98,980	$47.59	530
Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$97,310	$46.79	740
Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$58,340	$28.05	200
Electrical and Electronics Drafters	$50,840	$24.44	40
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	$64,900	$31.20	470
Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$101,830	$48.96	40
Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers	$43,180	$20.76	980
Electricians	$61,390	$29.51	2,980
Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$84,150	$40.46	190
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	$50,130	not published	4,290
Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	$116,320	$55.92	not published
Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	$52,350	$25.17	470
Emergency Management Directors	$67,180	$32.30	120
Emergency Medical Technicians	$36,800	$17.69	600
Emergency Medicine Physicians	$393,870	$189.36	170
Engine and Other Machine Assemblers	$45,930	$22.08	550
Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	$97,700	not published	120
Engineers, All Other	$112,260	$53.97	110
English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$62,960	not published	110
Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	$76,000	$36.54	160
Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$53,960	$25.94	40
Environmental Engineers	$98,890	$47.54	90
Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health	$44,180	$21.24	60
Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	$68,230	$32.80	240
Etchers and Engravers	$40,590	$19.52	60
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining	$48,250	$23.20	280
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	$55,170	$26.53	1,230
Exercise Physiologists	$51,630	$24.82	30
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors	$40,070	$19.26	950
Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters	$56,780	$27.30	not published
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$49,620	$23.86	50
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$43,240	$20.79	610
Facilities Managers	$101,280	$48.69	370
Family Medicine Physicians	$239,970	$115.37	550
Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	$62,140	$29.87	820
Farm and Home Management Educators	$60,440	$29.06	90
Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse	$42,260	$20.32	190
Farmworkers, Farm, Ranch, and Aquacultural Animals	$38,000	$18.27	100
Fast Food and Counter Workers	$29,490	$14.18	15,150
Fence Erectors	$48,380	$23.26	170
Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators	$48,410	$23.27	70
File Clerks	$36,640	$17.62	not published
Film and Video Editors	$39,090	$18.79	30
Financial Examiners	$88,690	$42.64	150
Financial Managers	$159,700	$76.78	1,000
Financial Risk Specialists	$78,960	$37.96	130
Financial Specialists, All Other	$86,260	$41.47	90
Financial and Investment Analysts	$99,150	$47.67	820
Firefighters	$48,160	$23.15	610
First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	$77,690	$37.35	2,360
First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	$77,400	$37.21	80
First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Workers, Except Gambling Services	$44,470	$21.38	210
First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	$57,880	$27.83	110
First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	$72,420	$34.82	120
First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Workers	$40,640	$19.54	2,920
First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Workers	$47,720	$22.94	60
First-Line Supervisors of Housekeeping and Janitorial Workers	$46,860	$22.53	610
First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	$60,680	$29.17	340
First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$80,810	$38.85	1,750
First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	$105,680	$50.81	680
First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	$62,530	$30.06	1,750
First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Workers	$49,860	$23.97	340
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	$87,810	$42.22	190
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$73,040	$35.12	1,930
First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Workers, All Other	$76,400	$36.73	40
First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	$56,680	$27.25	3,660
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	$57,880	$27.83	80
First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	$64,780	$31.14	1,340
Fish and Game Wardens	$68,810	$33.08	100
Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles	$58,930	$28.33	180
Floral Designers	$33,910	$16.30	190
Food Batchmakers	$39,200	$18.84	660
Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tenders	$39,270	$18.88	120
Food Preparation Workers	$30,430	$14.63	3,270
Food Science Technicians	$48,760	$23.44	100
Food Scientists and Technologists	$71,330	$34.29	90
Food Servers, Nonrestaurant	$31,980	$15.38	160
Food Service Managers	$60,640	$29.15	1,270
Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tenders	$45,040	$21.66	120
Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$81,080	not published	40
Forensic Science Technicians	$51,690	$24.85	30
Forest and Conservation Technicians	$54,770	$26.33	350
Forest and Conservation Workers	$38,210	$18.37	490
Foresters	$64,460	$30.99	120
Fundraisers	$66,800	$32.11	80
Funeral Attendants	$37,170	$17.87	120
Funeral Home Managers	$100,880	$48.50	70
Furnace, Kiln, Oven, Drier, and Kettle Operators and Tenders	$48,200	$23.17	40
Furniture Finishers	$39,340	$18.91	110
Gambling Cage Workers	$33,300	$16.01	160
Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers	$30,020	$14.43	520
Gambling Dealers	$36,190	$17.40	170
Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gambling Investigators	$33,820	$16.26	80
Gambling and Sports Book Writers and Runners	$30,620	$14.72	80
Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators	$44,440	$21.37	not published
Gas Plant Operators	$101,450	$48.78	90
General Internal Medicine Physicians	$280,520	$134.87	160
General and Operations Managers	$137,400	$66.06	4,280
Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	$71,150	$34.21	80
Glaziers	$47,140	$22.66	220
Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products	$39,900	$19.18	380
Graphic Designers	$48,390	$23.26	470
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$39,060	$18.78	130
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists	$49,800	$23.94	690
Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	$51,420	$24.72	190
Health Education Specialists	$57,370	$27.58	190
Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	$60,740	$29.20	140
Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$78,720	not published	270
Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other	$52,970	$25.47	230
Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other	$83,780	$40.28	60
Healthcare Social Workers	$57,510	$27.65	790
Healthcare Support Workers, All Other	$44,610	$21.45	260
Hearing Aid Specialists	$54,910	$26.40	not published
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	$61,390	$29.51	1,610
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$58,690	$28.21	6,470
Helpers--Brickmasons, Blockmasons, Stonemasons, and Tile and Marble Setters	$49,150	$23.63	100
Helpers--Carpenters	$34,700	$16.68	330
Helpers--Electricians	$35,620	$17.13	300
Helpers--Extraction Workers	$45,250	$21.75	60
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$36,500	$17.55	210
Highway Maintenance Workers	$48,610	$23.37	1,800
History Teachers, Postsecondary	$69,220	not published	30
Home Appliance Repairers	$47,340	$22.76	100
Home Health and Personal Care Aides	$37,740	$18.15	4,210
Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop	$30,310	$14.57	630
Hotel, Motel, and Resort Desk Clerks	$30,550	$14.69	1,760
Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping	$45,150	$21.71	190
Human Resources Managers	$117,930	$56.70	420
Human Resources Specialists	$67,590	$32.50	1,340
Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$54,570	$26.24	310
Industrial Engineers	$93,200	$44.81	830
Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$61,560	$29.60	1,230
Industrial Production Managers	$107,490	$51.68	720
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators	$47,410	$22.79	1,940
Information Security Analysts	$116,640	$56.08	770
Information and Record Clerks, All Other	$53,290	$25.62	290
Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers	$47,240	$22.71	1,090
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other	$48,490	$23.31	560
Instructional Coordinators	$57,910	$27.84	500
Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall	$45,820	$22.03	340
Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks	$45,610	$21.93	1,020
Insurance Sales Agents	$71,990	$34.61	1,870
Insurance Underwriters	$83,130	$39.97	210
Interior Designers	$65,220	$31.36	150
Interpreters and Translators	$53,140	$25.55	230
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan	$43,930	$21.12	590
Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	$35,480	$17.06	8,630
Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers	$45,110	$21.69	90
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education	$49,410	not published	610
Labor Relations Specialists	$57,900	$27.84	100
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand	$38,980	$18.74	3,820
Landscape Architects	$70,620	$33.95	80
Landscaping and Groundskeeping Workers	$35,370	$17.01	2,980
Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers	$32,780	$15.76	750
Lawyers	$102,040	$49.06	1,360
Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$47,790	$22.98	560
Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	$51,210	$24.62	490
Library Technicians	$29,590	$14.23	650
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	$52,750	$25.36	2,050
Life, Physical, and Social Science Technicians, All Other	$51,630	$24.82	60
Lifeguards, Ski Patrol, and Other Recreational Protective Service Workers	$30,990	$14.90	490
Light Truck Drivers	$43,240	$20.79	4,820
Loan Interviewers and Clerks	$47,000	$22.60	1,710
Loan Officers	$79,920	$38.42	1,820
Locomotive Engineers	$69,180	$33.26	150
Lodging Managers	$61,920	$29.77	310
Logging Equipment Operators	$58,740	$28.24	50
Logisticians	$80,020	$38.47	210
Machine Feeders and Offbearers	$39,310	$18.90	660
Machinists	$50,890	$24.47	830
Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	$77,010	$37.03	210
Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners	$29,950	$14.40	3,540
Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service	$37,580	$18.07	320
Maintenance Workers, Machinery	$45,240	$21.75	50
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General	$48,100	$23.13	3,450
Management Analysts	$83,620	$40.20	2,980
Managers, All Other	$119,470	$57.44	570
Manicurists and Pedicurists	$45,310	$21.79	250
Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installers	$46,890	$22.54	50
Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	$63,490	$30.53	1,530
Marketing Managers	$167,750	$80.65	220
Marriage and Family Therapists	$44,870	$21.57	80
Massage Therapists	$52,000	$25.00	180
Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,620	not published	130
Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers	$44,290	$21.29	2,080
Mechanical Door Repairers	$50,500	$24.28	160
Mechanical Drafters	$52,610	$25.29	100
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$53,670	$25.80	110
Mechanical Engineers	$88,380	$42.49	560
Medical Appliance Technicians	$52,950	$25.46	30
Medical Assistants	$41,870	$20.13	1,340
Medical Equipment Preparers	$42,330	$20.35	480
Medical Equipment Repairers	$69,530	$33.43	150
Medical Records Specialists	$51,610	$24.81	900
Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	$80,890	$38.89	140
Medical Secretaries and Administrative Assistants	$45,810	$22.03	80
Medical Transcriptionists	$46,070	$22.15	240
Medical and Health Services Managers	$122,050	$58.68	1,140
Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners	$47,050	$22.62	340
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers	$48,920	$23.52	230
Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers	$40,190	$19.32	320
Microbiologists	$70,530	$33.91	80
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$50,980	not published	2,130
Millwrights	$61,820	$29.72	240
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators	$43,240	$20.79	3,960
Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$49,000	$23.56	510
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	$66,730	$32.08	830
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$40,750	$19.59	840
Morticians, Undertakers, and Funeral Arrangers	$47,840	$23.00	200
Motor Vehicle Operators, All Other	$53,790	$25.86	100
Motorboat Mechanics and Service Technicians	$46,840	$22.52	90
Motorcycle Mechanics	$46,490	$22.35	200
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$44,700	$21.49	120
Natural Sciences Managers	$128,140	$61.61	180
Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$75,010	$36.06	1,690
News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists	$43,520	$20.92	190
Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$82,010	$39.43	140
Nurse Anesthetists	$263,930	$126.89	400
Nurse Practitioners	$128,840	$61.94	1,020
Nursing Assistants	$38,800	$18.65	6,860
Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	$66,630	not published	250
Obstetricians and Gynecologists	$297,610	$143.08	80
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	$88,610	$42.60	250
Occupational Therapists	$85,050	$40.89	490
Occupational Therapy Assistants	$56,180	$27.01	100
Office Clerks, General	$38,560	$18.54	1,720
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	$59,500	$28.61	2,050
Ophthalmic Medical Technicians	$42,430	$20.40	300
Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric	$211,990	$101.92	130
Opticians, Dispensing	$43,400	$20.87	430
Optometrists	$102,320	$49.19	190
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons	not published	not published	40
Order Clerks	$48,010	$23.08	330
Orthopedic Surgeons, Except Pediatric	$239,200 or more	$115.00 or more	not published
Orthotists and Prosthetists	$80,760	$38.83	40
Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanics	$41,580	$19.99	160
Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders	$43,860	$21.09	1,000
Packers and Packagers, Hand	$28,760	$13.83	1,040
Painters, Construction and Maintenance	$48,160	$23.15	670
Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers	$31,550	$15.17	40
Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$46,910	$22.55	130
Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$58,320	$28.04	600
Paramedics	$48,830	$23.48	280
Parking Attendants	$34,220	$16.45	240
Parts Salespersons	$45,370	$21.81	2,100
Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	$60,140	$28.92	130
Payroll and Timekeeping Clerks	$47,680	$22.92	370
Pediatricians, General	$257,610	$123.85	80
Personal Care and Service Workers, All Other	$50,990	$24.52	30
Personal Financial Advisors	$128,720	$61.89	620
Pest Control Workers	$49,920	$24.00	190
Pesticide Handlers, Sprayers, and Applicators, Vegetation	$46,320	$22.27	460
Pharmacists	$146,790	$70.57	1,280
Pharmacy Aides	$36,130	$17.37	150
Pharmacy Technicians	$46,170	$22.20	1,230
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$58,000	not published	40
Phlebotomists	$39,560	$19.02	320
Photographers	$45,330	$21.79	190
Physical Therapist Aides	$31,330	$15.06	70
Physical Therapist Assistants	$49,310	$23.71	300
Physical Therapists	$92,660	$44.55	1,060
Physician Assistants	$133,200	$64.04	680
Physicians, All Other	$239,200 or more	$115.00 or more	200
Physicists	$83,050	$39.93	30
Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	$86,010	not published	30
Pipelayers	$50,650	$24.35	300
Plant and System Operators, All Other	$57,430	$27.61	190
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$51,620	$24.82	1,760
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$60,740	$29.20	2,000
Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,580	not published	30
Postal Service Clerks	$58,470	$28.11	390
Postal Service Mail Carriers	$60,760	$29.21	850
Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	$61,570	$29.60	210
Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	$91,540	$44.01	100
Power Distributors and Dispatchers	$130,270	$62.63	30
Prepress Technicians and Workers	$46,370	$22.29	50
Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education	$44,500	$21.39	1,470
Print Binding and Finishing Workers	$41,350	$19.88	110
Printing Press Operators	$44,930	$21.60	460
Private Detectives and Investigators	$44,840	$21.56	60
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$66,870	$32.15	280
Procurement Clerks	$46,690	$22.45	170
Producers and Directors	$60,260	$28.97	170
Production Workers, All Other	$44,910	$21.59	140
Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	$50,530	$24.29	690
Project Management Specialists	$82,250	$39.54	1,310
Property Appraisers and Assessors	$63,350	$30.46	510
Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers	$49,490	$23.80	1,280
Protective Service Workers, All Other	$42,260	$20.32	130
Psychiatrists	$226,180	$108.74	60
Psychologists, All Other	$132,170	$63.55	30
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,020	not published	70
Public Relations Specialists	$64,520	$31.02	210
Public Safety Telecommunicators	$47,900	$23.03	420
Purchasing Managers	$128,670	$61.86	70
Radiation Therapists	$97,470	$46.86	not published
Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	$63,620	$30.59	30
Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$65,240	$31.36	980
Radiologists	$586,010	$281.73	70
Rail Car Repairers	$71,750	$34.50	90
Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators	$64,500	$31.01	110
Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	$62,730	$30.16	90
Real Estate Sales Agents	$65,170	$31.33	640
Receptionists and Information Clerks	$38,280	$18.40	5,760
Recreation Workers	$42,270	$20.32	650
Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$62,280	not published	60
Recreational Therapists	$46,850	$22.53	40
Recreational Vehicle Service Technicians	$39,820	$19.14	30
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors	$32,950	$15.84	340
Registered Nurses	$78,060	$37.53	14,710
Rehabilitation Counselors	$49,350	$23.73	370
Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agents and Travel Clerks	$35,860	$17.24	230
Residential Advisors	$38,420	$18.47	1,780
Respiratory Therapists	$68,240	$32.81	430
Retail Salespersons	$34,370	$16.52	14,180
Rolling Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,040	$22.13	70
Roofers	$47,710	$22.94	400
Roustabouts, Oil and Gas	$50,370	$24.22	40
Sales Engineers	$119,110	$57.26	100
Sales Managers	$136,360	$65.56	450
Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	$61,770	$29.70	630
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	$77,210	$37.12	5,220
Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products	not published	not published	1,730
Sales and Related Workers, All Other	$61,550	$29.59	160
Sawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Wood	$37,480	$18.02	260
School Bus Monitors	$34,380	$16.53	140
School Psychologists	$78,370	$37.68	110
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$51,050	not published	3,360
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive	$41,700	$20.05	6,120
Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	$86,780	$41.72	730
Security Guards	$37,150	$17.86	1,460
Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	$55,690	$26.77	220
Self-Enrichment Teachers	$49,720	$23.90	140
Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,780	$24.41	270
Septic Tank Servicers and Sewer Pipe Cleaners	$40,040	$19.25	120
Service Unit Operators, Oil and Gas	$49,920	$24.00	40
Sewing Machine Operators	$39,000	$18.75	300
Sheet Metal Workers	$47,800	$22.98	320
Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks	$43,680	$21.00	2,740
Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs	$36,310	$17.46	620
Skincare Specialists	$38,230	$18.38	150
Slaughterers and Meat Packers	$44,410	$21.35	740
Social Science Research Assistants	$44,820	$21.55	40
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other	$86,260	$41.47	70
Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	$60,100	not published	100
Social Workers, All Other	$93,760	$45.08	130
Social and Community Service Managers	$86,870	$41.77	450
Social and Human Service Assistants	$38,350	$18.44	830
Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,210	not published	40
Software Developers	$96,310	$46.30	2,380
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$68,120	$32.75	220
Soil and Plant Scientists	$73,590	$35.38	480
Solar Photovoltaic Installers	$42,380	$20.37	50
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	$51,090	not published	790
Special Education Teachers, Middle School	$51,360	not published	310
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	$54,810	not published	500
Speech-Language Pathologists	$65,680	$31.58	410
Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$68,090	$32.74	90
Stockers and Order Fillers	$37,650	$18.10	11,460
Structural Iron and Steel Workers	$57,050	$27.43	440
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	$50,800	$24.42	180
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	$53,650	$25.79	1,710
Substitute Teachers, Short-Term	$27,840	$13.39	1,610
Surgeons, All Other	$239,200 or more	$115.00 or more	120
Surgical Technologists	$59,870	$28.79	600
Surveying and Mapping Technicians	$50,050	$24.06	110
Surveyors	$77,190	$37.11	180
Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	$63,790	$30.67	120
Tax Preparers	$52,530	$25.26	280
Teachers and Instructors, All Other	$67,200	not published	180
Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary	$28,220	not published	4,650
Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary	$39,840	not published	460
Technical Writers	$63,350	$30.46	70
Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	$62,000	$29.81	520
Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers	$49,560	$23.83	590
Tellers	$38,460	$18.49	1,560
Tile and Stone Setters	$50,640	$24.34	30
Tire Repairers and Changers	$38,800	$18.65	360
Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	$59,300	$28.51	180
Tool and Die Makers	$59,770	$28.74	60
Tour and Travel Guides	$35,100	$16.88	440
Training and Development Managers	$124,150	$59.69	50
Training and Development Specialists	$61,570	$29.60	520
Transportation Inspectors	$70,080	$33.69	100
Transportation Security Screeners	$55,530	$26.70	60
Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$107,410	$51.64	370
Travel Agents	$44,510	$21.40	200
Tree Trimmers and Pruners	$50,430	$24.25	270
Tutors	$38,760	$18.64	250
Umpires, Referees, and Other Sports Officials	$35,260	not published	80
Urban and Regional Planners	$71,180	$34.22	210
Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers	$29,430	$14.15	320
Veterinarians	$88,650	$42.62	280
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers	$34,700	$16.68	250
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians	$45,300	$21.78	300
Waiters and Waitresses	$28,990	$13.94	7,350
Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$53,370	$25.66	1,060
Web Developers	$51,100	$24.57	390
Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping	$44,430	$21.36	330
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers	$49,440	$23.77	3,250
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$52,520	$25.25	150
Wind Turbine Service Technicians	$73,820	$35.49	180
Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing	$41,740	$20.07	490
Writers and Authors	$56,700	$27.26	60
Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$65,890	$31.68	170

"Not published" means BLS did not release that figure for this state. "$239,200 or more" and "$115.00 or more" are the highest values BLS reports in state tables.

How pay is spread in South Dakota

By median pay, South Dakota is number 43 of the 54 states and territories in the figures. The lowest-paid tenth of employees earned less than $29,300 a year and the highest-paid tenth more than $94,900. The middle half, between the 25% and 75% lines, earned from $36,030 to $64,020. For the whole country those outer lines were $31,200 and $128,560. The average (mean) pay was $57,610, 22% above the median, because high earners lift an average more than a median. The 457,380 jobs counted here are 0.3% of all jobs in the national figures.

The kinds of work

Adding up the occupations with a published job count, the largest fields of work in South Dakota are Office and Administrative Support (52,450 jobs, 12%), Sales and Related (46,430 jobs, 10%), Food Preparation and Serving Related (45,230 jobs, 10%) and Transportation and Material Moving (39,390 jobs, 9%). Some occupations are far more common here than elsewhere. Set against their share of all jobs in the country, the most concentrated are Gambling Change Persons and Booth Cashiers (8.2 times the national share), Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians (7.3 times the national share) and Conveyor Operators and Tenders (7.3 times the national share). The table on this page lists 567 occupations; for 7 of them the Bureau released a job count but no pay figure.

Same job, different pay

Among the 116 occupations with at least 1,000 jobs and a yearly median in the state, 14 pay more than the same occupation does nationally, 84 pay less and 18 are within 2%. The widest gaps above the national median are for General and Operations Managers ($137,400 here, $105,770 nationally), Parts Salespersons ($45,370 here, $38,630 nationally) and First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers ($56,680 here, $48,520 nationally). The widest gaps below it are for Lawyers ($102,040 here, $159,670 nationally), Substitute Teachers, Short-Term ($27,840 here, $41,670 nationally) and Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers ($49,490 here, $69,990 nationally). A gap in pay is not a gap in living standard: prices, housing costs and taxes differ between states, and these statistics do not adjust for them.

Questions about pay in South Dakota

What is the median salary in South Dakota?

The median pay of all employees in South Dakota was $47,080 a year ($22.63 an hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The national median was $50,980.

What is the most common job in South Dakota?

Fast Food and Counter Workers, with 15,150 jobs and a median pay of $29,490 a year.

What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?

The three highest medians published as a figure are Radiologists ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($393,870) and Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610). Occupations shown as "$239,200 or more" are paid above the highest value the Bureau reports.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Checked in November 2026. Figures are for employees, before tax, and leave out overtime pay and benefits. They are official statistics, not advice or a pay offer; see bls.gov/oes for the original tables.

All states

Salaries in South Dakota: pay for 567 occupations, May 2025

Highest median pay in South Dakota

Occupations with the most jobs

All occupations in South Dakota, A to Z

How pay is spread in South Dakota

The kinds of work

Same job, different pay

Questions about pay in South Dakota