Jobs that actually got a raise in South Dakota

Consumer prices rose about 26% between May 2019 and May 2025, so a wage that grew less than that lost ground while appearing to rise. The column on the right is the inflation-adjusted change; the nominal figure beneath it is what a paycheck comparison would have shown. Limited to occupations employing at least 50,000 people, so the ranking is not dominated by tiny, noisy ones.

Cost of living: prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average (2024), so a South Dakota salary is worth about 1.13× its face value in national terms. That scales every wage here by the same factor — it changes what the numbers mean, not their order. To see where a job pays a real premium, use jobs that pay more in South Dakota.

Wages: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Cost of living: BEA regional price parities, 2024

Find high paying jobs in South Dakota

OccupationMedian, South Dakota · Real change since 2019

1Sales and Related Workers, All Other$61,550
High school diploma or equivalent
$44,150 – $129,960+85.1%+133.1% nominal
2Driver/Sales Workers$45,050
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,960 – $64,540+36.8%+72.2% nominal
3Merchandise Displayers and Window Trimmers$40,190
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,680 – $58,600+36.3%+71.7% nominal
4Massage Therapists$52,000
Postsecondary nondegree award
$35,720 – $56,310+33.6%+68.2% nominal
5Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists$49,800
Postsecondary nondegree award
$32,090 – $61,900+33.4%+68.0% nominal
6Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles$58,930
No formal educational credential
$38,130 – $70,770+28.5%+61.9% nominal
7Pest Control Workers$49,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$39,460 – $68,950+24.4%+56.6% nominal
8Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians$62,140
High school diploma or equivalent
$46,750 – $79,880+24.1%+56.2% nominal
9Office Clerks, General$38,560
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,390 – $51,080+23.7%+55.7% nominal
10Roofers$47,710
No formal educational credential
$34,550 – $59,200+23.3%+55.3% nominal
11Wind Turbine Service Technicians$73,820
Postsecondary nondegree award
$46,350 – $79,300+23.1%+55.0% nominal
12Social and Human Service Assistants$38,350
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,850 – $48,120+22.6%+54.4% nominal
13Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$43,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$37,220 – $51,870+21.5%+53.0% nominal
14Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers$59,700
Some college, no degree
$37,770 – $76,110+21.2%+52.6% nominal
15Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education$44,500
Associate's degree
$30,980 – $56,370+19.4%+50.3% nominal
16Slaughterers and Meat Packers$44,410
No formal educational credential
$34,950 – $48,080+18.5%+49.2% nominal
17Helpers--Carpenters$34,700
No formal educational credential
$27,420 – $46,370+18.3%+48.9% nominal
18Order Clerks$48,010
Some college, no degree
$38,370 – $54,890+18.2%+48.9% nominal
19Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, Recordkeeping$44,430
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,380 – $49,370+17.8%+48.4% nominal
20Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers$44,290
No formal educational credential
$35,730 – $48,150+17.4%+47.8% nominal
21Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and Greenhouse$42,260
No formal educational credential
$30,180 – $50,080+17.4%+47.8% nominal
22Computer Network Architects$153,390
Bachelor's degree
$96,670 – $199,420+17.2%+47.6% nominal
23Tree Trimmers and Pruners$50,430
High school diploma or equivalent
$40,040 – $70,650+17.1%+47.5% nominal
24Forest and Conservation Technicians$54,770
Associate's degree
$43,530 – $82,990+16.9%+47.2% nominal
25Construction Laborers$45,710
No formal educational credential
$35,180 – $52,350+16.7%+47.0% nominal
26Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal Service$37,580
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,530 – $47,820+16.5%+46.7% nominal
27Fence Erectors$48,380
No formal educational credential
$35,220 – $62,330+16.3%+46.4% nominal
28Stockers and Order Fillers$37,650
No formal educational credential
$27,730 – $46,020+15.4%+45.3% nominal
29Home Health and Personal Care Aides$37,740
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,500 – $47,320+15.4%+45.3% nominal
30Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket Takers$29,430
No formal educational credential
$26,710 – $31,000+15.1%+44.9% nominal
31Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee Shop$30,310
No formal educational credential
$25,380 – $36,800+15.0%+44.8% nominal
32Surgical Technologists$59,870
Postsecondary nondegree award
$38,450 – $75,470+14.8%+44.6% nominal
33Residential Advisors$38,420
High school diploma or equivalent
$29,070 – $48,210+14.6%+44.3% nominal
34Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and Ambulance$43,920
High school diploma or equivalent
$30,510 – $55,900+14.6%+44.3% nominal
35Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$43,240
High school diploma or equivalent
$32,920 – $61,650+14.6%+44.3% nominal
36Bakers$38,340
No formal educational credential
$28,880 – $50,360+14.5%+44.1% nominal
37Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$34,700
High school diploma or equivalent
$28,390 – $36,700+14.5%+44.2% nominal
38Billing and Posting Clerks$46,180
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,300 – $54,970+14.5%+44.2% nominal
39Commercial and Industrial Designers$60,110
Bachelor's degree
$43,840 – $78,850+14.3%+43.9% nominal
40Hazardous Materials Removal Workers$51,420
High school diploma or equivalent
$47,400 – $58,030+14.3%+44.0% nominal
41Motorcycle Mechanics$46,490
Postsecondary nondegree award
$37,310 – $65,040+14.1%+43.7% nominal
42Manicurists and Pedicurists$45,310
Postsecondary nondegree award
$34,280 – $54,850+14.0%+43.5% nominal
43Photographers$45,330
High school diploma or equivalent
$31,150 – $54,750+13.9%+43.4% nominal
44Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks$45,610
High school diploma or equivalent
$34,410 – $54,900+13.6%+43.0% nominal
45Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,050
No formal educational credential
$27,910 – $43,040+13.5%+42.9% nominal
46Machine Feeders and Offbearers$39,310
No formal educational credential
$34,690 – $43,720+13.5%+42.9% nominal
47Counter and Rental Clerks$36,400
No formal educational credential
$26,190 – $48,850+13.4%+42.8% nominal
48Phlebotomists$39,560
Postsecondary nondegree award
$31,360 – $45,240+13.4%+42.8% nominal
49Interpreters and Translators$53,140
Bachelor's degree
$36,730 – $75,320+13.4%+42.8% nominal
50Graders and Sorters, Agricultural Products$39,900
No formal educational credential
$30,140 – $48,720+13.2%+42.6% nominal

Bars run from the 10th to the 90th percentile; the middle half is shaded darker, and the tick is the median.

#	Occupation	MedianSouth Dakota	10th–90th percentilemiddle half shaded darker	Real change since 2019
1	Sales and Related Workers, All OtherHigh school diploma or equivalent	$61,550	$44,150 – $129,960	+85.1%+133.1% nominal
2	Driver/Sales WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,050	$28,960 – $64,540	+36.8%+72.2% nominal
3	Merchandise Displayers and Window TrimmersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$40,190	$34,680 – $58,600	+36.3%+71.7% nominal
4	Massage TherapistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$52,000	$35,720 – $56,310	+33.6%+68.2% nominal
5	Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and CosmetologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$49,800	$32,090 – $61,900	+33.4%+68.0% nominal
6	Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard TilesNo formal educational credential	$58,930	$38,130 – $70,770	+28.5%+61.9% nominal
7	Pest Control WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$49,920	$39,460 – $68,950	+24.4%+56.6% nominal
8	Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service TechniciansHigh school diploma or equivalent	$62,140	$46,750 – $79,880	+24.1%+56.2% nominal
9	Office Clerks, GeneralHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,560	$28,390 – $51,080	+23.7%+55.7% nominal
10	RoofersNo formal educational credential	$47,710	$34,550 – $59,200	+23.3%+55.3% nominal
11	Wind Turbine Service TechniciansPostsecondary nondegree award	$73,820	$46,350 – $79,300	+23.1%+55.0% nominal
12	Social and Human Service AssistantsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,350	$29,850 – $48,120	+22.6%+54.4% nominal
13	Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and FinishersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,180	$37,220 – $51,870	+21.5%+53.0% nominal
14	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine RepairersSome college, no degree	$59,700	$37,770 – $76,110	+21.2%+52.6% nominal
15	Preschool Teachers, Except Special EducationAssociate's degree	$44,500	$30,980 – $56,370	+19.4%+50.3% nominal
16	Slaughterers and Meat PackersNo formal educational credential	$44,410	$34,950 – $48,080	+18.5%+49.2% nominal
17	Helpers--CarpentersNo formal educational credential	$34,700	$27,420 – $46,370	+18.3%+48.9% nominal
18	Order ClerksSome college, no degree	$48,010	$38,370 – $54,890	+18.2%+48.9% nominal
19	Weighers, Measurers, Checkers, and Samplers, RecordkeepingHigh school diploma or equivalent	$44,430	$30,380 – $49,370	+17.8%+48.4% nominal
20	Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and TrimmersNo formal educational credential	$44,290	$35,730 – $48,150	+17.4%+47.8% nominal
21	Farmworkers and Laborers, Crop, Nursery, and GreenhouseNo formal educational credential	$42,260	$30,180 – $50,080	+17.4%+47.8% nominal
22	Computer Network ArchitectsBachelor's degree	$153,390	$96,670 – $199,420	+17.2%+47.6% nominal
23	Tree Trimmers and PrunersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$50,430	$40,040 – $70,650	+17.1%+47.5% nominal
24	Forest and Conservation TechniciansAssociate's degree	$54,770	$43,530 – $82,990	+16.9%+47.2% nominal
25	Construction LaborersNo formal educational credential	$45,710	$35,180 – $52,350	+16.7%+47.0% nominal
26	Mail Clerks and Mail Machine Operators, Except Postal ServiceHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,580	$30,530 – $47,820	+16.5%+46.7% nominal
27	Fence ErectorsNo formal educational credential	$48,380	$35,220 – $62,330	+16.3%+46.4% nominal
28	Stockers and Order FillersNo formal educational credential	$37,650	$27,730 – $46,020	+15.4%+45.3% nominal
29	Home Health and Personal Care AidesHigh school diploma or equivalent	$37,740	$32,500 – $47,320	+15.4%+45.3% nominal
30	Ushers, Lobby Attendants, and Ticket TakersNo formal educational credential	$29,430	$26,710 – $31,000	+15.1%+44.9% nominal
31	Hosts and Hostesses, Restaurant, Lounge, and Coffee ShopNo formal educational credential	$30,310	$25,380 – $36,800	+15.0%+44.8% nominal
32	Surgical TechnologistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$59,870	$38,450 – $75,470	+14.8%+44.6% nominal
33	Residential AdvisorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$38,420	$29,070 – $48,210	+14.6%+44.3% nominal
34	Dispatchers, Except Police, Fire, and AmbulanceHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,920	$30,510 – $55,900	+14.6%+44.3% nominal
35	Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsHigh school diploma or equivalent	$43,240	$32,920 – $61,650	+14.6%+44.3% nominal
36	BakersNo formal educational credential	$38,340	$28,880 – $50,360	+14.5%+44.1% nominal
37	Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal CaretakersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$34,700	$28,390 – $36,700	+14.5%+44.2% nominal
38	Billing and Posting ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$46,180	$31,300 – $54,970	+14.5%+44.2% nominal
39	Commercial and Industrial DesignersBachelor's degree	$60,110	$43,840 – $78,850	+14.3%+43.9% nominal
40	Hazardous Materials Removal WorkersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$51,420	$47,400 – $58,030	+14.3%+44.0% nominal
41	Motorcycle MechanicsPostsecondary nondegree award	$46,490	$37,310 – $65,040	+14.1%+43.7% nominal
42	Manicurists and PedicuristsPostsecondary nondegree award	$45,310	$34,280 – $54,850	+14.0%+43.5% nominal
43	PhotographersHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,330	$31,150 – $54,750	+13.9%+43.4% nominal
44	Insurance Claims and Policy Processing ClerksHigh school diploma or equivalent	$45,610	$34,410 – $54,900	+13.6%+43.0% nominal
45	Cleaners of Vehicles and EquipmentNo formal educational credential	$35,050	$27,910 – $43,040	+13.5%+42.9% nominal
46	Machine Feeders and OffbearersNo formal educational credential	$39,310	$34,690 – $43,720	+13.5%+42.9% nominal
47	Counter and Rental ClerksNo formal educational credential	$36,400	$26,190 – $48,850	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
48	PhlebotomistsPostsecondary nondegree award	$39,560	$31,360 – $45,240	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
49	Interpreters and TranslatorsBachelor's degree	$53,140	$36,730 – $75,320	+13.4%+42.8% nominal
50	Graders and Sorters, Agricultural ProductsNo formal educational credential	$39,900	$30,140 – $48,720	+13.2%+42.6% nominal

More for South Dakota

Metro areas in South Dakota

Pay varies more between metros than between states — the spread inside one state is often wider than the gap between two.

By field in South Dakota

Without a degree

The same fields, narrowed to what you can enter without one. Fields missing here have too few such occupations in South Dakota to rank honestly.

Jobs that actually got a raise in South Dakota

More for South Dakota

Metro areas in South Dakota

By field in South Dakota

Without a degree

Jobs that actually got a raise in each state