Average Salary in South Dakota
Average wage, unemployment, and how South Dakota ranks — from official BLS data.
The average worker in South Dakota earns about $63,960 a year across all industries — about $2,979 below the national average. Roughly 458,904 jobs are covered in the state.
How it works
The average annual wage for South Dakota is the BLS QCEW average weekly wage across all covered industries, annualized (2025 Q4). The unemployment rate is the seasonally adjusted state figure from BLS LAUS. These are averages — a typical (median) worker usually earns less than the average, which is pulled up by high earners.
Good to know
- Average wage is employer-reported and covers ~95% of US jobs; it runs higher than the median.
- Weigh South Dakota's wage against its cost of living and rent before comparing states.
- Figures refresh as BLS releases new quarters.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary in South Dakota?
The average annual wage in South Dakota is about $63,960, based on the BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (2025 Q4) — the average across all covered industries.
What is the unemployment rate in South Dakota?
South Dakota's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate is 2.2% (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics).
How does South Dakota rank for pay?
South Dakota ranks #47 of 51 states (and DC) by average wage.