What is the average salary in South Dakota?
$56,750a year
Average yearly pay across 564 jobs with official data in South Dakota, weighted by employment. Each job below shows its median.
- Hourly
- $27.28
- Jobs with data
- 564
- Workers counted
- 451,320
Highest paying jobs
Median yearly pay.
| Radiologist | $586,000 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $393,900 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $297,600 |
| Chief Executive | $280,900 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $280,500 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,900 |
| Pediatrician | $257,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $240,000 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Physician | $239,200 |
Most common jobs
Median yearly pay.
| Fast Food and Counter Worker | $29,490 |
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 |
| Retail Salesperson | $34,370 |
| Cashier | $29,780 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $37,650 |
| Bookkeeping | $46,340 |
| Janitor and Cleaner | $35,480 |
| Waiter and Waitress | $28,990 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,800 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $58,690 |
Management
- Administrative Services Manager$106,400
- Architectural and Engineering Manager$164,300
- Chief Executive$280,900
- Computer and Information Systems Manager$162,200
- Construction Manager$118,400
- Education Administrator$88,390
- Education Administrator$126,200
- Education Administrator$109,000
- Education and Childcare Administrator$63,240
- Emergency Management Director$67,180
- Entertainment and Recreation Manager$76,000
- Facilities Manager$101,300
- Financial Manager$159,700
- Food Service Manager$60,640
- Funeral Home Manager$100,900
- General and Operations Manager$137,400
- Human Resources Manager$117,900
- Industrial Production Manager$107,500
- Lodging Manager$61,920
- Manager$119,500
- Marketing Manager$167,800
- Medical and Health Services Manager$122,100
- Natural Sciences Manager$128,100
- Postmaster and Mail Superintendent$91,540
- Property$49,490
- Purchasing Manager$128,700
- Sales Manager$136,400
- Social and Community Service Manager$86,870
- Training and Development Manager$124,200
- Transportation$107,400
Business and financial operations
- Accountant and Auditor$78,880
- Budget Analyst$79,180
- Business Operations Specialist$85,340
- Buyer and Purchasing Agent$73,990
- Claims Adjuster$78,900
- Compensation$64,630
- Compliance Officer$72,630
- Cost Estimator$74,950
- Credit Analyst$73,040
- Credit Counselor$48,890
- Financial and Investment Analyst$99,150
- Financial Examiner$88,690
- Financial Risk Specialist$78,960
- Financial Specialist$86,260
- Fundraiser$66,800
- Human Resources Specialist$67,590
- Insurance Underwriter$83,130
- Labor Relations Specialist$57,900
- Loan Officer$79,920
- Logistician$80,020
- Management Analyst$83,620
- Market Research Analyst and Marketing Specialist$63,490
- Meeting$47,050
- Personal Financial Advisor$128,700
- Project Management Specialist$82,250
- Property Appraiser and Assessor$63,350
- Tax Examiner and Collector$63,790
- Tax Preparer$52,530
- Training and Development Specialist$61,570
Computer and mathematical
- Computer Network Architect$153,400
- Computer Network Support Specialist$53,650
- Computer Occupation$105,400
- Computer Programmer$58,240
- Computer Systems Analyst$99,790
- Computer User Support Specialist$48,260
- Data Scientist$96,150
- Database Administrator$82,540
- Database Architect$136,500
- Information Security Analyst$116,600
- Network and Computer Systems Administrator$75,010
- Software Developer$96,310
- Software Quality Assurance Analyst and Tester$68,120
- Web Developer$51,100
Architecture and engineering
- Architect$102,500
- Architectural and Civil Drafter$52,470
- Cartographer and Photogrammetrist$72,910
- Civil Engineer$98,700
- Civil Engineering Technologist and Technician$60,880
- Computer Hardware Engineer$101,400
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologist and Technician$58,340
- Electrical and Electronics Drafter$50,840
- Electrical Engineer$98,980
- Electronics Engineer$84,150
- Engineer$112,300
- Environmental Engineer$98,890
- Environmental Engineering Technologist and Technician$53,960
- Industrial Engineer$93,200
- Industrial Engineering Technologist and Technician$54,570
- Landscape Architect$70,620
- Mechanical Drafter$52,610
- Mechanical Engineer$88,380
- Mechanical Engineering Technologist and Technician$53,670
- Surveying and Mapping Technician$50,050
- Surveyor$77,190
Life, physical, and social science
- Agricultural Technician$41,420
- Animal Scientist$77,300
- Anthropologist and Archeologist$63,130
- Atmospheric and Space Scientist$78,900
- Biological Scientist$73,920
- Biological Technician$41,300
- Chemical Technician$49,030
- Chemist$67,440
- Clinical and Counseling Psychologist$80,130
- Conservation Scientist$76,400
- Environmental Science and Protection Technician$44,180
- Environmental Scientist and Specialist$68,230
- Food Science Technician$48,760
- Food Scientist and Technologist$71,330
- Forensic Science Technician$51,690
- Forest and Conservation Technician$54,770
- Forester$64,460
- Geoscientist$71,150
- Life$51,630
- Medical Scientist$80,890
- Microbiologist$70,530
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialist$88,610
- Physicist$83,050
- Psychologist$132,200
- School Psychologist$78,370
- Social Science Research Assistant$44,820
- Social Scientist and Related Worker$86,260
- Soil and Plant Scientist$73,590
- Urban and Regional Planner$71,180
- Zoologist and Wildlife Biologist$65,890
Community and social service
- Child$51,100
- Clergy$59,860
- Community Health Worker$45,700
- Director$53,360
- Educational$51,830
- Health Education Specialist$57,370
- Healthcare Social Worker$57,510
- Marriage and Family Therapist$44,870
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Worker$48,920
- Probation Officer and Correctional Treatment Specialist$66,870
- Rehabilitation Counselor$49,350
- Social and Human Service Assistant$38,350
- Social Worker$93,760
- Substance Abuse$53,650
Legal
- Lawyer$102,000
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant$58,320
- Title Examiner$59,300
Educational instruction and library
- Adult Basic Education$35,760
- Agricultural Sciences Teacher$98,220
- Art$63,380
- Atmospheric$63,160
- Biological Science Teacher$76,570
- Business Teacher$72,650
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$72,940
- Career/Technical Education Teacher$56,070
- Chemistry Teacher$75,810
- Communications Teacher$71,300
- Computer Science Teacher$75,540
- Curator$74,990
- Economics Teacher$85,700
- Education Teacher$63,350
- Educational Instruction and Library Worker$63,010
- Elementary School Teacher$50,130
- Engineering Teacher$97,700
- English Language and Literature Teacher$62,960
- Farm and Home Management Educator$60,440
- Foreign Language and Literature Teacher$81,080
- Health Specialties Teacher$78,720
- History Teacher$69,220
- Instructional Coordinator$57,910
- Kindergarten Teacher$49,410
- Librarian and Media Collections Specialist$51,210
- Library Technician$29,590
- Mathematical Science Teacher$64,620
- Middle School Teacher$50,980
- Nursing Instructor and Teacher$66,630
- Philosophy and Religion Teacher$58,000
- Physics Teacher$86,010
- Political Science Teacher$72,580
- Preschool Teacher$44,500
- Psychology Teacher$65,020
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teacher$62,280
- Secondary School Teacher$51,050
- Self-Enrichment Teacher$49,720
- Social Work Teacher$60,100
- Sociology Teacher$64,210
- Special Education Teacher$51,090
- Special Education Teacher$51,360
- Special Education Teacher$54,810
- Substitute Teacher$27,840
- Teacher and Instructor$67,200
- Teaching Assistant$39,840
- Teaching Assistant$28,220
- Tutor$38,760
Arts, design, entertainment, sports, and media
- Art Director$66,610
- Broadcast Announcer and Radio Disc Jockey$40,630
- Broadcast Technician$32,150
- Camera Operator$44,160
- Choreographer$40,320
- Coach and Scout$36,360
- Commercial and Industrial Designer$60,110
- Court Reporter and Simultaneous Captioner$75,210
- Disc Jockey$56,720
- Editor$56,730
- Film and Video Editor$39,090
- Floral Designer$33,910
- Graphic Designer$48,390
- Interior Designer$65,220
- Interpreter and Translator$53,140
- Merchandise Displayer and Window Trimmer$40,190
- News Analyst$43,520
- Photographer$45,330
- Producer and Director$60,260
- Public Relations Specialist$64,520
- Technical Writer$63,350
- Umpire$35,260
- Writer and Author$56,700
Healthcare practitioners and technical
- Anesthesiologist$239,200
- Athletic Trainer$58,620
- Audiologist$91,190
- Cardiovascular Technologist and Technician$67,290
- Chiropractor$76,210
- Clinical Laboratory Technologist and Technician$60,890
- Dental Hygienist$92,210
- Dentist$158,100
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer$80,820
- Dietitian and Nutritionist$64,890
- Emergency Medical Technician$36,800
- Emergency Medicine Physician$393,900
- Exercise Physiologist$51,630
- Family Medicine Physician$240,000
- General Internal Medicine Physician$280,500
- Health Information Technologist and Medical Registrar$60,740
- Health Technologist and Technician$52,970
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioner$83,780
- Hearing Aid Specialist$54,910
- Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurse$52,750
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist$77,010
- Medical Records Specialist$51,610
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist$82,010
- Nurse Anesthetist$263,900
- Nurse Practitioner$128,800
- Obstetrician and Gynecologist$297,600
- Occupational Therapist$85,050
- Ophthalmic Medical Technician$42,430
- Ophthalmologist$212,000
- Optician$43,400
- Optometrist$102,300
- Orthopedic Surgeon$239,200
- Orthotist and Prosthetist$80,760
- Paramedic$48,830
- Pediatrician$257,600
- Pharmacist$146,800
- Pharmacy Technician$46,170
- Physical Therapist$92,660
- Physician$239,200
- Physician Assistant$133,200
- Psychiatrist$226,200
- Radiation Therapist$97,470
- Radiologic Technologist and Technician$65,240
- Radiologist$586,000
- Recreational Therapist$46,850
- Registered Nurse$78,060
- Respiratory Therapist$68,240
- Speech-Language Pathologist$65,680
- Surgeon$239,200
- Surgical Technologist$59,870
- Veterinarian$88,650
- Veterinary Technologist and Technician$45,300
Healthcare support
- Dental Assistant$47,900
- Healthcare Support Worker$44,610
- Home Health and Personal Care Aide$37,740
- Massage Therapist$52,000
- Medical Assistant$41,870
- Medical Equipment Preparer$42,330
- Medical Transcriptionist$46,070
- Nursing Assistant$38,800
- Occupational Therapy Assistant$56,180
- Pharmacy Aide$36,130
- Phlebotomist$39,560
- Physical Therapist Aide$31,330
- Physical Therapist Assistant$49,310
- Veterinary Assistant and Laboratory Animal Caretaker$34,700
Protective service
- Animal Control Worker$45,530
- Correctional Officer and Jailer$53,040
- Crossing Guard and Flagger$46,940
- Detective and Criminal Investigator$77,730
- Firefighter$48,160
- First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officer$77,400
- First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Worker$72,420
- First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detective$87,810
- First-Line Supervisors of Protective Service Worker$76,400
- First-Line Supervisors of Security Worker$57,880
- Fish and Game Warden$68,810
- Gambling Surveillance Officer and Gambling Investigator$33,820
- Lifeguard$30,990
- Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officer$60,740
- Private Detective and Investigator$44,840
- Protective Service Worker$42,260
- School Bus Monitor$34,380
- Security Guard$37,150
- Transportation Security Screener$55,530
Food preparation and serving
- Bartender$29,400
- Chef and Head Cook$48,470
- Cook$30,950
- Cook$36,730
- Cook$36,220
- Cook$32,380
- Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendant and Bartender Helper$29,920
- Dishwasher$28,190
- Fast Food and Counter Worker$29,490
- First-Line Supervisors of Food Preparation and Serving Worker$40,640
- Food Preparation Worker$30,430
- Food Server$31,980
- Host and Hostess$30,310
- Waiter and Waitress$28,990
Building and grounds cleaning and maintenance
Personal care and service
- Amusement and Recreation Attendant$29,730
- Animal Caretaker$30,390
- Animal Trainer$38,120
- Baggage Porter and Bellhop$27,490
- Childcare Worker$27,940
- Exercise Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor$40,070
- First-Line Supervisors of Entertainment and Recreation Worker$44,470
- First-Line Supervisors of Gambling Services Worker$47,720
- First-Line Supervisors of Personal Service Worker$49,860
- Funeral Attendant$37,170
- Gambling and Sports Book Writer and Runner$30,620
- Gambling Dealer$36,190
- Hairdresser$49,800
- Manicurist and Pedicurist$45,310
- Mortician$47,840
- Personal Care and Service Worker$50,990
- Recreation Worker$42,270
- Residential Advisor$38,420
- Skincare Specialist$38,230
- Tour and Travel Guide$35,100
- Usher$29,430
Sales and related
- Advertising Sales Agent$60,190
- Cashier$29,780
- Counter and Rental Clerk$36,400
- Demonstrator and Product Promoter$29,560
- First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Worker$105,700
- First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Worker$56,680
- Gambling Change Person and Booth Cashier$30,020
- Insurance Sales Agent$71,990
- Parts Salesperson$45,370
- Real Estate Sales Agent$65,170
- Retail Salesperson$34,370
- Sale and Related Worker$61,550
- Sales Engineer$119,100
- Sales Representative$77,210
- Sales Representatives of Service$61,770
- Security$86,780
- Travel Agent$44,510
Office and administrative support
- Bill and Account Collector$46,620
- Billing and Posting Clerk$46,180
- Bookkeeping$46,340
- Brokerage Clerk$56,080
- Cargo and Freight Agent$64,340
- Courier and Messenger$31,650
- Court$43,850
- Customer Service Representative$40,650
- Data Entry Keyer$34,320
- Dispatcher$43,920
- Eligibility Interviewer$52,350
- Executive Secretary and Executive Administrative Assistant$55,170
- File Clerk$36,640
- First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Worker$62,530
- Gambling Cage Worker$33,300
- Hotel$30,550
- Human Resources Assistant$45,150
- Information and Record Clerk$53,290
- Insurance Claim and Policy Processing Clerk$45,610
- Interviewer$43,930
- Legal Secretary and Administrative Assistant$47,790
- Loan Interviewer and Clerk$47,000
- Mail Clerk and Mail Machine Operator$37,580
- Medical Secretary and Administrative Assistant$45,810
- Office Clerk$38,560
- Order Clerk$48,010
- Payroll and Timekeeping Clerk$47,680
- Postal Service Clerk$58,470
- Postal Service Mail Carrier$60,760
- Postal Service Mail Sorter$61,570
- Procurement Clerk$46,690
- Production$50,530
- Public Safety Telecommunicator$47,900
- Receptionist and Information Clerk$38,280
- Reservation and Transportation Ticket Agent and Travel Clerk$35,860
- Secretary and Administrative Assistant$41,700
- Shipping$43,680
- Teller$38,460
- Weigher$44,430
Farming, fishing, and forestry
- Agricultural Equipment Operator$48,060
- Animal Breeder$44,850
- Farmworker$38,000
- Farmworker and Laborer$42,260
- First-Line Supervisors of Farming$57,880
- Forest and Conservation Worker$38,210
- Grader and Sorter$39,900
- Logging Equipment Operator$58,740
Construction and extraction
- Brickmason and Blockmason$60,380
- Carpenter$48,140
- Carpet Installer$40,420
- Cement Mason and Concrete Finisher$47,160
- Construction and Building Inspector$64,940
- Construction Laborer$45,710
- Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installer$48,850
- Earth Driller$57,160
- Electrician$61,390
- Elevator and Escalator Installer and Repairer$116,300
- Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operator$48,250
- Explosives Worker$56,780
- Fence Erector$48,380
- First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trade and Extraction Worker$77,690
- Floor Layer$58,930
- Glazier$47,140
- Hazardous Materials Removal Worker$51,420
- Helpers--Brickmason$49,150
- Helpers--Carpenter$34,700
- Helpers--Electrician$35,620
- Helpers--Extraction Worker$45,250
- Helpers--Pipelayer$36,500
- Highway Maintenance Worker$48,610
- Insulation Worker$45,820
- Operating Engineer and Other Construction Equipment Operator$59,500
- Painter$48,160
- Paving$60,140
- Pipelayer$50,650
- Plumber$51,620
- Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operator$64,500
- Roofer$47,710
- Roustabout$50,370
- Septic Tank Servicer and Sewer Pipe Cleaner$40,040
- Service Unit Operator$49,920
- Sheet Metal Worker$47,800
- Solar Photovoltaic Installer$42,380
- Structural Iron and Steel Worker$57,050
- Tile and Stone Setter$50,640
Installation, maintenance, and repair
- Aircraft Mechanic and Service Technician$75,750
- Audiovisual Equipment Installer and Repairer$38,860
- Automotive Body and Related Repairer$49,460
- Automotive Service Technician and Mechanic$51,160
- Avionics Technician$83,220
- Bicycle Repairer$31,500
- Bus and Truck Mechanic and Diesel Engine Specialist$58,120
- Coin$43,860
- Computer$59,700
- Control and Valve Installer and Repairer$98,090
- Electric Motor$50,150
- Electrical and Electronics Repairer$64,900
- Electrical and Electronics Repairer$101,800
- Electrical Power-Line Installer and Repairer$97,310
- Farm Equipment Mechanic and Service Technician$62,140
- First-Line Supervisors of Mechanic$80,810
- Heating$61,390
- Home Appliance Repairer$47,340
- Industrial Machinery Mechanic$61,560
- Installation$48,490
- Maintenance and Repair Worker$48,100
- Maintenance Worker$45,240
- Manufactured Building and Mobile Home Installer$46,890
- Mechanical Door Repairer$50,500
- Medical Equipment Repairer$69,530
- Millwright$61,820
- Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanic$66,730
- Motorboat Mechanic and Service Technician$46,840
- Motorcycle Mechanic$46,490
- Outdoor Power Equipment and Other Small Engine Mechanic$41,580
- Radio$63,620
- Rail Car Repairer$71,750
- Recreational Vehicle Service Technician$39,820
- Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installer$55,690
- Telecommunications Equipment Installer and Repairer$62,000
- Telecommunications Line Installer and Repairer$49,560
- Tire Repairer and Changer$38,800
- Wind Turbine Service Technician$73,820
Production
- Baker$38,340
- Butcher and Meat Cutter$37,310
- Cabinetmaker and Bench Carpenter$45,950
- Chemical Equipment Operator and Tender$48,830
- Chemical Plant and System Operator$59,970
- Cleaning$44,770
- Coating$47,980
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator$50,750
- Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer$66,650
- Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender$45,520
- Crushing$48,330
- Cutting$46,060
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setter$44,980
- Dental Laboratory Technician$48,370
- Electrical$43,180
- Engine and Other Machine Assembler$45,930
- Etcher and Engraver$40,590
- Extruding$43,240
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setter$49,620
- Fiberglass Laminator and Fabricator$48,410
- First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Worker$73,040
- Food and Tobacco Roasting$45,040
- Food Batchmaker$39,200
- Food Cooking Machine Operator and Tender$39,270
- Furnace$48,200
- Furniture Finisher$39,340
- Gas Plant Operator$101,500
- Grinding$39,060
- Inspector$47,240
- Jeweler and Precious Stone and Metal Worker$45,110
- Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Worker$32,780
- Machinist$50,890
- Meat$44,290
- Medical Appliance Technician$52,950
- Miscellaneous Assembler and Fabricator$43,240
- Mixing and Blending Machine Setter$49,000
- Molding$40,750
- Multiple Machine Tool Setter$44,700
- Packaging and Filling Machine Operator and Tender$43,860
- Painting$31,550
- Paper Goods Machine Setter$46,910
- Plant and System Operator$57,430
- Power Distributor and Dispatcher$130,300
- Prepress Technician and Worker$46,370
- Print Binding and Finishing Worker$41,350
- Printing Press Operator$44,930
- Production Worker$44,910
- Rolling Machine Setter$46,040
- Sawing Machine Setter$37,480
- Separating$50,780
- Sewing Machine Operator$39,000
- Slaughterer and Meat Packer$44,410
- Stationary Engineer and Boiler Operator$68,090
- Structural Metal Fabricator and Fitter$50,800
- Tool and Die Maker$59,770
- Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operator$53,370
- Welder$49,440
- Welding$52,520
- Woodworking Machine Setter$41,740
Transportation and material moving
- Airfield Operations Specialist$37,860
- Ambulance Driver and Attendant$29,190
- Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendant$36,050
- Bus Driver$39,730
- Bus Driver$41,590
- Cleaners of Vehicle and Equipment$35,050
- Commercial Pilot$83,710
- Conveyor Operator and Tender$44,890
- Crane and Tower Operator$71,000
- Driver/Sales Worker$45,050
- First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker$64,780
- Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator$44,440
- Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver$58,690
- Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator$47,410
- Laborer and Freight$38,980
- Light Truck Driver$43,240
- Locomotive Engineer$69,180
- Machine Feeder and Offbearer$39,310
- Motor Vehicle Operator$53,790
- Packer and Packager$28,760
- Parking Attendant$34,220
- Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster$62,730
- Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector$32,950
- Shuttle Driver and Chauffeur$36,310
- Stocker and Order Filler$37,650
- Transportation Inspector$70,080
Frequently asked questions
What is the average salary in South Dakota?
About $56,750 a year ($27.28 an hour): the average of the 564 jobs with official data, weighted by how many people do each one.
What are the highest paying jobs in South Dakota?
Radiologist ($586,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,900), Obstetrician and Gynecologist ($297,600).
What are the most common jobs in South Dakota?
Fast Food and Counter Worker (15,150 jobs), Registered Nurse (14,710 jobs), Retail Salesperson (14,180 jobs).
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.