AmericaByNumbers.com

Electrical and Electronics Drafters Salary in South Dakota: Cost of Living Adjusted (2024)

What does a Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary really buy you in South Dakota?

South Dakota is 12.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-03-31

Nominal Salary
$55,160
Median annual (2024)
+13.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$62,681
COL-adjusted (RPP=88.0)

South Dakota Cost of Living Index

South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) is 88.0, meaning prices are 12.0% lower the national average. A Electrical and Electronics Drafters earning $55,160 in South Dakota has the equivalent purchasing power of $62,681 in an average-cost US state.

SD: 88.0
Cheapest (~85) US Avg (100) Priciest (~115)

Salary Breakdown: Nominal vs. COL-Adjusted

Every dollar goes further in low-cost states. Here is how each salary percentile compares after adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living.

Percentile Nominal Salary COL-Adjusted Difference
10th Percentile (P10) $40,810 $46,375 +$5,565
25th Percentile (P25) $44,920 $51,045 +$6,125
Median (P50) $55,160 $62,681 +$7,521
75th Percentile (P75) $66,150 $75,170 +$9,020
90th Percentile (P90) $69,270 $78,715 +$9,445
Key Insight

A Electrical and Electronics Drafters in South Dakota earns $55,160 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $62,681 in an average-cost state. This makes South Dakota one of the best value states for this occupation.

Best States for Electrical and Electronics Drafters (After Cost of Living)

Where does Electrical and Electronics Drafters salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$97,571
RPP 91.0
$94,498
RPP 107.6
3. Idaho
$89,030
RPP 91.8
$88,605
RPP 91.1
5. Ohio
$87,890
RPP 91.5
6. Iowa
$87,160
RPP 88.4
$84,520
RPP 91.8
8. Kansas
$84,177
RPP 90.0
$83,016
RPP 109.4
10. New York
$81,868
RPP 107.6

South Dakota ranks #38 out of 43 states for Electrical and Electronics Drafters after cost-of-living adjustment.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Electrical and Electronics Drafters in South Dakota after cost of living?

A Electrical and Electronics Drafters in South Dakota earns a median salary of $55,160 per year. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (RPP=88.0), the real purchasing power is $62,681 — a +13.6% difference.

Is South Dakota expensive to live in?

South Dakota's cost of living is 12.0% lower than the national average according to the BEA Regional Price Parities (2022). The RPP index for South Dakota is 88.0 (US average = 100).

What are Regional Price Parities (RPP)?

Regional Price Parities (RPPs) are price indexes published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) that measure differences in price levels across states. They are expressed as a percentage of the national average (US = 100). Higher RPP means higher cost of living.

How is the cost-of-living adjusted salary calculated?

The adjusted salary is calculated as: Nominal Salary x (100 / RPP). For a Electrical and Electronics Drafters in South Dakota: $55,160 x (100 / 88.0) = $62,681. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Electrical and Electronics Drafters in South Dakota financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Electrical and Electronics Drafters in South Dakota enjoys 13.6% more buying power than the nominal salary suggests, because living costs are below the national average. However, other factors like job availability, career growth, and quality of life also matter.

Related Salary Pages