Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links marked with (Ad). If you click through and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Learn more

Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists Salary in South Dakota: Cost of Living Adjusted (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed:

What does a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary really buy you in South Dakota?

South Dakota is 12.0% cheaper than the US average

Data: BLS OEWS 2025 + BEA Regional Price Parities 2022 • Updated 2026-05-19

Nominal Salary
$49,800
Median annual (2025)
+13.6%
Real Purchasing Power
$56,590
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 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists earning $49,800 in South Dakota has the equivalent purchasing power of $56,590 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) $32,090 $36,465 +$4,375
25th Percentile (P25) $42,870 $48,715 +$5,845
Median (P50) $49,800 $56,590 +$6,790
75th Percentile (P75) $56,200 $63,863 +$7,663
90th Percentile (P90) $61,900 $70,340 +$8,440
Key Insight

A Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota earns $49,800 on paper, but low living costs mean your money goes 14% further — like earning $56,590 in an average-cost state. This makes South Dakota one of the best value states for this occupation.

What the Cost-of-Living Data Says

South Dakota Runs Well Below National Cost

RPP 88.0

South Dakota's Regional Price Parity (RPP) of 88.0 means a basket of goods and services costs about 12.0% less than the national average. For a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, every dollar earned effectively buys more here than in a 100-RPP state.

Sizable COL Effect Reshapes This Salary

+13.6%

Adjusting $49,800 for South Dakota's cost of living yields $56,591 — a 13.6% gain in real purchasing power. This magnitude usually reflects either a materially cheaper or materially pricier metro mix than the national average.

Top-Quartile Adjusted Earnings in South Dakota

#1 / 50

Ranked on COL-adjusted median pay for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists, South Dakota places #1 of 50 states — top quartile. Either nominal wages run high, cost of living runs low, or both.

Best States for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists (After Cost of Living)

Where does Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists salary stretch the furthest? Top 10 states ranked by COL-adjusted median salary.

$56,590
RPP 88.0
$54,198
RPP 109.8
3. Oregon
$54,015
RPP 106.6
4. Vermont
$48,120
RPP 101.1
$46,801
RPP 116.6
6. Maine
$43,650
RPP 100.8
7. Montana
$42,081
RPP 90.3
$41,936
RPP 106.4
$41,483
RPP 91.0
$40,774
RPP 94.2

South Dakota ranks #1 out of 50 states for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists after cost-of-living adjustment.

How much do you actually take home? See Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists take-home pay in South Dakota after taxes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the real salary for a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota after cost of living?

A Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota earns a median salary of $49,800 per year. After adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (RPP=88.0), the real purchasing power is $56,590 — 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 Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota: $49,800 x (100 / 88.0) = $56,590. This represents what the salary would be worth in a state with average living costs.

Is it better to be a Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota financially?

From a purchasing power perspective, yes. A Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists 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.

What To Do Next

Some links are affiliate links. See our disclosure.

Related Salary Pages

Get Monthly Salary Insights & Career Data

Free data-driven career updates — no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Join career-minded Americans who use data to make smarter decisions. Privacy Policy