South Dakota wages
Midwest region · all-occupation average · gross annual wage · BLS OEWS May 2024
Across all occupations, South Dakota has a median annual wage of $45,620 and a mean of $55,480 (BLS OEWS, May 2024) — -7.8% versus the $49,500 US median. That makes it #45 of 51 states by mean wage. About 452,940 people are employed here. The highest-paying tracked job in South Dakota is General Internal Medicine Physicians ($239,200+ median). Wages are gross (pre-tax) and vary by employer and experience.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Common jobs in South Dakota: pay vs the US
Median annual wage in South Dakota for widely-searched occupations, next to the national median:
| Occupation | South Dakota median | US median | South Dakota jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Software Developers | $87,770 | $133,080 | 2,190 |
| Registered Nurses | $69,510 | $93,600 | 14,500 |
| Electricians | $58,550 | $62,350 | 2,790 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $56,880 | $57,440 | 5,990 |
| Accountants and Auditors | $77,310 | $81,680 | 5,950 |
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,110 | $62,340 | 4,220 |
| Lawyers | $96,550 | $151,160 | 1,130 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $50,790 | $62,970 | 1,800 |
| Pharmacists | $140,190 | $137,480 | 1,290 |
| Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers | $60,300 | $76,290 | 1,890 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Software Developers · Registered Nurses · Electricians · Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers · Accountants and Auditors · Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education · Lawyers · Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters · Pharmacists · Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Highest-paying tracked jobs in South Dakota
The best-paid of the 124 curated occupations in South Dakota, by median wage:
| # | Occupation | Median | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | General Internal Medicine Physicians | $239,200+ | $339,050 |
| 2 | Family Medicine Physicians | $217,460 | $223,520 |
| 3 | Dentists, General | $162,860 | $166,690 |
| 4 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $160,850 | $166,250 |
| 5 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $152,540 | $159,900 |
| 6 | Financial Managers | $152,020 | $168,970 |
| 7 | Computer Network Architects | $149,300 | $150,720 |
| 8 | Marketing Managers | $145,390 | $161,010 |
| 9 | Pharmacists | $140,190 | $137,460 |
| 10 | Physician Assistants | $128,130 | $128,300 |
| 11 | Database Architects | $127,460 | $121,220 |
| 12 | Personal Financial Advisors | $123,380 | $174,340 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. Data as of OEWS May 2024 (BLS), retrieved June 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average wage in South Dakota?
The median annual wage across all occupations in South Dakota is $45,620 and the mean is $55,480 (BLS OEWS, May 2024), which is -7.8% versus the US median of $49,500. South Dakota ranks #45 of 51 states by mean wage.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
Among tracked occupations, the highest-paying in South Dakota include General Internal Medicine Physicians ($239,200+), Family Medicine Physicians ($217,460), Dentists, General ($162,860). See the full list on this page.
Are South Dakota wages before or after tax?
These are gross wages from the BLS OEWS survey, before income and payroll tax. South Dakota's state income tax (if any), federal tax and deductions reduce take-home pay. Use a paycheck calculator for after-tax figures.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, gross annual wages, U.S. public domain, retrieved June 2026. These are statewide survey estimates before tax; pay varies by metro, employer and experience, and cost of living differs widely within South Dakota. Information only, not financial advice. See our methodology.
Last updated: 2026-06-20