Comprehensive salary overview for South Dakota based on 444,300 workers across 562 occupations tracked by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
These are the highest paying occupations in South Dakota based on median annual salary from BLS data.
| # | Occupation | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Podiatrists | $234,480 | $243,820 | 30 |
| 2 | Nurse Anesthetists | $223,650 | $229,840 | 370 |
| 3 | Pediatricians, General | $217,990 | $241,800 | 80 |
| 4 | Family Medicine Physicians | $217,460 | $223,520 | 600 |
| 5 | Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $174,160 | $303,320 | 30 |
| 6 | Dentists, General | $162,860 | $166,690 | 270 |
| 7 | Computer and Information Systems Managers | $160,850 | $166,250 | 330 |
| 8 | Architectural and Engineering Managers | $152,540 | $159,900 | 250 |
| 9 | Financial Manager | $152,020 | $168,970 | 870 |
| 10 | Computer Network Architects | $149,300 | $150,720 | 580 |
| 11 | Marketing Manager | $145,390 | $161,010 | N/A |
| 12 | Pharmacist | $140,190 | $137,460 | 1,290 |
| 13 | Sales Manager | $133,590 | $142,110 | 450 |
| 14 | General and Operations Managers | $133,440 | $150,020 | 4,440 |
| 15 | Psychologists, All Other | $128,560 | $121,650 | 30 |
| 16 | Physician Assistants | $128,130 | $128,300 | 650 |
| 17 | Database Architects | $127,460 | $121,220 | 60 |
| 18 | Financial Advisor | $123,380 | $174,340 | 500 |
| 19 | Nurse Practitioners | $122,600 | $122,300 | 950 |
| 20 | Training and Development Managers | $120,760 | $120,380 | 50 |
| 21 | Natural Sciences Managers | $120,310 | $130,840 | 130 |
| 22 | Optometrists | $118,980 | $119,420 | 200 |
| 23 | Medical and Health Services Manager | $116,210 | $128,110 | 1,140 |
| 24 | Purchasing Managers | $115,730 | $126,890 | 80 |
| 25 | Construction Manager | $113,520 | $121,860 | 980 |
The 10 lowest paying occupations in South Dakota by median annual salary.
| Occupation | Median Salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Childcare Workers | $26,870 | 2,640 |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $26,880 | 1,650 |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $27,020 | 4,570 |
| Taxi Drivers | $27,400 | 40 |
| Dishwashers | $27,590 | 1,340 |
| Pressers, Textile, Garment, and Related Materials | $28,200 | 40 |
| Library Technicians | $28,370 | 500 |
| Amusement and Recreation Attendants | $28,450 | 1,490 |
| Bartenders | $28,530 | 3,520 |
| Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers | $28,640 | 2,490 |
The most common jobs in South Dakota by total number of workers.
| Occupation | Workers | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | 14,500 | $69,510 |
| Fast Food and Counter Workers | 14,420 | $29,480 |
| Retail Salespersons | 13,070 | $34,260 |
| Cashiers | 12,970 | $29,330 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | 12,150 | $36,990 |
| Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks | 9,830 | $44,780 |
| Janitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners | 8,290 | $33,940 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | 7,080 | $29,080 |
| Customer Service Representatives | 6,750 | $39,760 |
| Nursing Assistants | 6,520 | $38,070 |
See how average salaries in South Dakota compare to other states across the country.
All salary data on this page comes from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2024 estimates. The average salary shown is the mean across all tracked occupations weighted by employment. For methodology details, see our Methodology page.