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294 Jobs That Pay Over $50K in South Dakota (2025)

Last updated: 2025 BLS data · Page refreshed: 2026-05-19

There are 294 occupations in South Dakota with a median salary above $50K per year. The highest-paying is Radiologists at $586,010/year. Based on 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025

$50K+ $75K+ $100K+ $150K+

Average Salary by State

Average salaries across all 50 states. Click a state to see its $50K+ jobs.

$57,873

$89,679

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS 2025 Annual

AL $63,963 AK $79,599 AZ $72,019 AR $58,447 CA $83,172 CO $76,493 CT $78,019 DE $71,614 DC $89,679 FL $67,772 GA $69,372 HI $73,976 ID $67,243 IL $74,900 IN $68,360 IA $68,184 KS $65,075 KY $66,085 LA $62,928 ME $70,351 MD $79,476 MA $81,221 MI $70,102 MN $79,901 MS $57,873 MO $67,599 MT $65,918 NE $68,499 NV $69,352 NH $75,725 NJ $80,366 NM $68,121 NY $83,189 NC $67,685 ND $70,391 OH $69,737 OK $63,871 OR $75,924 PA $70,617 RI $78,209 SC $66,430 SD $64,417 TN $66,638 TX $68,700 UT $68,195 VT $74,078 VA $73,984 WA $86,472 WV $62,235 WI $71,762 WY $66,073

294
Jobs Over $50K

$586,010

#1: Radiologists

$82,443

Avg of Qualifying Jobs

178,030

Workers in These Jobs

All 294 Jobs Paying Over $50K in South Dakota

Ranked by median annual salary. Click any job to see the full salary breakdown.

#	Occupation	Median Salary	Mean Salary	Workers
1	Radiologists	$586,010	$534,640	70
2	Emergency Medicine Physicians	$393,870	$335,490	170
3	Obstetricians and Gynecologists	$297,610	$307,380	80
4	Chief Executives	$280,900	$336,560	510
5	General Internal Medicine Physicians	$280,520	$331,820	160
6	Nurse Anesthetists	$263,930	$249,720	400
7	Pediatricians, General	$257,610	$288,400	80
8	Family Medicine Physicians	$239,970	$258,390	550
9	Psychiatrists	$226,180	$270,220	60
10	Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric	$211,990	$225,800	130
11	Marketing Managers	$167,750	$172,390	220
12	Architectural and Engineering Managers	$164,330	$166,030	310
13	Computer and Information Systems Managers	$162,240	$168,550	380
14	Financial Managers	$159,700	$172,430	1,000
15	Dentists, General	$158,140	$164,030	390
16	Computer Network Architects	$153,390	$151,620	420
17	Pharmacists	$146,790	$142,330	1,280
18	General and Operations Managers	$137,400	$153,020	4,280
19	Database Architects	$136,540	$124,430	40
20	Sales Managers	$136,360	$141,590	450
21	Physician Assistants	$133,200	$131,910	680
22	Power Distributors and Dispatchers	$130,270	$120,960	30
23	Nurse Practitioners	$128,840	$125,160	1,020
24	Personal Financial Advisors	$128,720	$175,820	620
25	Purchasing Managers	$128,670	$135,990	70
26	Natural Sciences Managers	$128,140	$137,210	180
27	Education Administrators, Postsecondary	$126,160	$138,640	240
28	Training and Development Managers	$124,150	$123,100	50
29	Medical and Health Services Managers	$122,050	$130,720	1,140
30	Sales Engineers	$119,110	$117,580	100
31	Construction Managers	$118,380	$123,320	1,070
32	Human Resources Managers	$117,930	$127,430	420
33	Information Security Analysts	$116,640	$120,750	770
34	Elevator and Escalator Installers and Repairers	$116,320	$107,000	N/A
35	Industrial Production Managers	$107,490	$117,070	720
36	Transportation, Storage, and Distribution Managers	$107,410	$107,970	370
37	Administrative Services Managers	$106,410	$111,890	450
38	First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers	$105,680	$113,980	680
39	Architects, Except Landscape and Naval	$102,500	$105,360	180
40	Optometrists	$102,320	$118,060	190
41	Lawyers	$102,040	$132,270	1,360
42	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay	$101,830	$105,830	40
43	Gas Plant Operators	$101,450	$97,770	90
44	Computer Hardware Engineers	$101,400	$110,880	160
45	Facilities Managers	$101,280	$104,360	370
46	Funeral Home Managers	$100,880	$94,040	70
47	Computer Systems Analysts	$99,790	$106,040	1,110
48	Financial and Investment Analysts	$99,150	$120,230	820
49	Electrical Engineers	$98,980	$102,770	530
50	Environmental Engineers	$98,890	$99,360	90
51	Civil Engineers	$98,700	$99,500	1,440
52	Agricultural Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$98,220	$97,870	110
53	Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door	$98,090	$89,270	150
54	Engineering Teachers, Postsecondary	$97,700	$103,500	120
55	Radiation Therapists	$97,470	$106,820	N/A
56	Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers	$97,310	$94,900	740
57	Software Developers	$96,310	$104,790	2,380
58	Data Scientists	$96,150	$102,450	220
59	Industrial Engineers	$93,200	$97,100	830
60	Physical Therapists	$92,660	$93,200	1,060
61	Dental Hygienists	$92,210	$89,180	630
62	Postmasters and Mail Superintendents	$91,540	$91,960	100
63	Audiologists	$91,190	$92,960	40
64	Financial Examiners	$88,690	$98,690	150
65	Veterinarians	$88,650	$93,990	280
66	Occupational Health and Safety Specialists	$88,610	$87,900	250
67	Education Administrators, Kindergarten through Secondary	$88,390	$91,960	680
68	Mechanical Engineers	$88,380	$95,080	560
69	First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives	$87,810	$97,350	190
70	Social and Community Service Managers	$86,870	$90,180	450
71	Securities, Commodities, and Financial Services Sales Agents	$86,780	$111,920	730
72	Physics Teachers, Postsecondary	$86,010	$84,720	30
73	Economics Teachers, Postsecondary	$85,700	$86,890	40
74	Occupational Therapists	$85,050	$88,150	490
75	Electronics Engineers, Except Computer	$84,150	$98,210	190
76	Commercial Pilots	$83,710	$94,070	320
77	Management Analysts	$83,620	$92,440	2,980
78	Avionics Technicians	$83,220	$77,460	40
79	Insurance Underwriters	$83,130	$99,910	210
80	Physicists	$83,050	$108,270	30
81	Database Administrators	$82,540	$86,260	170
82	Project Management Specialists	$82,250	$88,360	1,310
83	Nuclear Medicine Technologists	$82,010	$79,620	140
84	Foreign Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$81,080	$79,090	40
85	Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists	$80,890	$83,870	140
86	Diagnostic Medical Sonographers	$80,820	$77,220	370
87	First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers	$80,810	$82,680	1,750
88	Orthotists and Prosthetists	$80,760	$83,230	40
89	Clinical and Counseling Psychologists	$80,130	$88,560	120
90	Logisticians	$80,020	$87,750	210
91	Loan Officers	$79,920	$85,970	1,820
92	Budget Analysts	$79,180	$81,890	120
93	Financial Risk Specialists	$78,960	$95,530	130
94	Atmospheric and Space Scientists	$78,900	$89,140	130
95	Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators	$78,900	$81,510	1,030
96	Accountants and Auditors	$78,880	$85,030	5,820
97	Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary	$78,720	$87,460	270
98	School Psychologists	$78,370	$83,490	110
99	Registered Nurses	$78,060	$77,140	14,710
100	Detectives and Criminal Investigators	$77,730	$91,060	250
101	First-Line Supervisors of Construction Trades and Extraction Workers	$77,690	$78,970	2,360
102	First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers	$77,400	$76,600	80
103	Animal Scientists	$77,300	$79,940	90
104	Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Except Technical and Scientific Products	$77,210	$81,270	5,220
105	Surveyors	$77,190	$86,630	180
106	Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologists	$77,010	$77,670	210
107	Biological Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$76,570	$83,890	160
108	Conservation Scientists	$76,400	$76,060	360
109	Chiropractors	$76,210	$84,230	260
110	Entertainment and Recreation Managers, Except Gambling	$76,000	$80,170	160
111	Chemistry Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,810	$80,790	70
112	Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians	$75,750	$75,360	150
113	Computer Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$75,540	$78,350	150
114	Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners	$75,210	$73,500	40
115	Network and Computer Systems Administrators	$75,010	$78,680	1,690
116	Curators	$74,990	$74,800	50
117	Cost Estimators	$74,950	$79,200	1,030
118	Buyers and Purchasing Agents	$73,990	$78,690	1,180
119	Wind Turbine Service Technicians	$73,820	$67,700	180
120	Soil and Plant Scientists	$73,590	$79,240	480
121	Credit Analysts	$73,040	$82,670	430
122	First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers	$73,040	$73,610	1,930
123	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,940	$69,010	350
124	Cartographers and Photogrammetrists	$72,910	$71,660	140
125	Business Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,650	$83,150	260
126	Compliance Officers	$72,630	$80,090	1,130
127	Political Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$72,580	$76,540	30
128	First-Line Supervisors of Firefighting and Prevention Workers	$72,420	$81,140	120
129	Insurance Sales Agents	$71,990	$82,200	1,870
130	Rail Car Repairers	$71,750	$69,030	90
131	Food Scientists and Technologists	$71,330	$87,850	90
132	Communications Teachers, Postsecondary	$71,300	$69,050	80
133	Urban and Regional Planners	$71,180	$74,900	210
134	Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers	$71,150	$72,030	80
135	Crane and Tower Operators	$71,000	$70,560	120
136	Landscape Architects	$70,620	$81,480	80
137	Microbiologists	$70,530	$75,990	80
138	Transportation Inspectors	$70,080	$77,050	100
139	Medical Equipment Repairers	$69,530	$74,210	150
140	History Teachers, Postsecondary	$69,220	$73,690	30
141	Locomotive Engineers	$69,180	$70,010	150
142	Fish and Game Wardens	$68,810	$67,080	100
143	Respiratory Therapists	$68,240	$68,910	430
144	Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health	$68,230	$72,470	240
145	Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers	$68,120	$73,260	220
146	Stationary Engineers and Boiler Operators	$68,090	$64,300	90
147	Human Resources Specialists	$67,590	$74,450	1,340
148	Chemists	$67,440	$72,750	170
149	Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians	$67,290	$73,750	200
150	Emergency Management Directors	$67,180	$70,270	120
151	Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists	$66,870	$67,860	280
152	Fundraisers	$66,800	$75,190	80
153	Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines	$66,730	$69,470	830
154	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmers	$66,650	$66,720	80
155	Nursing Instructors and Teachers, Postsecondary	$66,630	$74,120	250
156	Art Directors	$66,610	$69,360	30
157	Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists	$65,890	$69,120	170
158	Speech-Language Pathologists	$65,680	$73,310	410
159	Radiologic Technologists and Technicians	$65,240	$69,740	980
160	Interior Designers	$65,220	$74,170	150
161	Real Estate Sales Agents	$65,170	$69,510	640
162	Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary	$65,020	$75,780	70
163	Construction and Building Inspectors	$64,940	$67,260	200
164	Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment	$64,900	$67,940	470
165	Dietitians and Nutritionists	$64,890	$68,220	210
166	First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors	$64,780	$64,760	1,340
167	Compensation, Benefits, and Job Analysis Specialists	$64,630	$67,890	630
168	Mathematical Science Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,620	$74,340	130
169	Public Relations Specialists	$64,520	$71,890	210
170	Rail-Track Laying and Maintenance Equipment Operators	$64,500	$62,120	110
171	Foresters	$64,460	$65,670	120
172	Cargo and Freight Agents	$64,340	$65,000	200
173	Sociology Teachers, Postsecondary	$64,210	$71,260	40
174	Tax Examiners and Collectors, and Revenue Agents	$63,790	$68,110	120
175	Radio, Cellular, and Tower Equipment Installers and Repairers	$63,620	$64,000	30
176	Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists	$63,490	$73,980	1,530
177	Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,380	$66,920	200
178	Education Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,350	$67,350	190
179	Property Appraisers and Assessors	$63,350	$64,440	510
180	Technical Writers	$63,350	$65,090	70
181	Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare	$63,240	$61,330	150
182	Atmospheric, Earth, Marine, and Space Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary	$63,160	$75,990	70
183	Anthropologists and Archeologists	$63,130	$69,430	40
184	English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary	$62,960	$65,870	110
185	Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters	$62,730	$61,410	90
186	First-Line Supervisors of Office and Administrative Support Workers	$62,530	$64,100	1,750
187	Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary	$62,280	$61,600	60
188	Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians	$62,140	$63,550	820
189	Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers	$62,000	$64,950	520
190	Lodging Managers	$61,920	$63,540	310
191	Millwrights	$61,820	$61,230	240
192	Sales Representatives of Services, Except Advertising, Insurance, Financial Services, and Travel	$61,770	$65,120	630
193	Postal Service Mail Sorters, Processors, and Processing Machine Operators	$61,570	$62,850	210
194	Training and Development Specialists	$61,570	$65,660	520
195	Industrial Machinery Mechanics	$61,560	$62,610	1,230
196	Electricians	$61,390	$61,980	2,980
197	Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers	$61,390	$61,100	1,610
198	Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians	$60,890	$60,940	1,280
199	Civil Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$60,880	$61,270	460
200	Postal Service Mail Carriers	$60,760	$61,420	850
201	Health Information Technologists and Medical Registrars	$60,740	$62,970	140
202	Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers	$60,740	$64,320	2,000
203	First-Line Supervisors of Landscaping, Lawn Service, and Groundskeeping Workers	$60,680	$59,760	340
204	Food Service Managers	$60,640	$63,920	1,270
205	Farm and Home Management Educators	$60,440	$62,130	90
206	Brickmasons and Blockmasons	$60,380	$61,030	320
207	Producers and Directors	$60,260	$65,090	170
208	Advertising Sales Agents	$60,190	$65,300	390
209	Paving, Surfacing, and Tamping Equipment Operators	$60,140	$61,370	130
210	Commercial and Industrial Designers	$60,110	$61,970	190
211	Social Work Teachers, Postsecondary	$60,100	$67,450	100
212	Chemical Plant and System Operators	$59,970	$58,440	180
213	Surgical Technologists	$59,870	$58,390	600
214	Clergy	$59,860	$60,180	140
215	Tool and Die Makers	$59,770	$58,480	60
216	Computer, Automated Teller, and Office Machine Repairers	$59,700	$58,290	300
217	Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators	$59,500	$59,330	2,050
218	Title Examiners, Abstractors, and Searchers	$59,300	$63,270	180
219	Floor Layers, Except Carpet, Wood, and Hard Tiles	$58,930	$56,540	180
220	Logging Equipment Operators	$58,740	$55,770	50
221	Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers	$58,690	$58,550	6,470
222	Athletic Trainers	$58,620	$57,880	150
223	Postal Service Clerks	$58,470	$56,450	390
224	Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$58,340	$61,250	200
225	Paralegals and Legal Assistants	$58,320	$62,260	600
226	Computer Programmers	$58,240	$67,940	70
227	Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists	$58,120	$59,480	1,340
228	Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary	$58,000	$59,260	40
229	Instructional Coordinators	$57,910	$62,420	500
230	Labor Relations Specialists	$57,900	$83,770	100
231	First-Line Supervisors of Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Workers	$57,880	$60,790	110
232	First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers	$57,880	$61,530	80
233	Healthcare Social Workers	$57,510	$59,640	790
234	Health Education Specialists	$57,370	$62,030	190
235	Earth Drillers, Except Oil and Gas	$57,160	$57,860	80
236	Structural Iron and Steel Workers	$57,050	$56,500	440
237	Explosives Workers, Ordnance Handling Experts, and Blasters	$56,780	$63,670	N/A
238	Editors	$56,730	$60,200	140
239	Writers and Authors	$56,700	$57,230	60
240	First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers	$56,680	$61,860	3,660
241	Occupational Therapy Assistants	$56,180	$55,470	100
242	Brokerage Clerks	$56,080	$57,650	130
243	Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School	$56,070	$55,040	360
244	Security and Fire Alarm Systems Installers	$55,690	$56,500	220
245	Transportation Security Screeners	$55,530	$56,310	60
246	Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants	$55,170	$56,200	1,230
247	Hearing Aid Specialists	$54,910	$56,030	N/A
248	Special Education Teachers, Secondary School	$54,810	$54,290	500
249	Forest and Conservation Technicians	$54,770	$60,160	350
250	Industrial Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$54,570	$58,490	310
251	Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$53,960	$53,110	40
252	Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians	$53,670	$57,580	110
253	Computer Network Support Specialists	$53,650	$56,390	480
254	Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors	$53,650	$54,760	1,710
255	Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators	$53,370	$55,750	1,060
256	Directors, Religious Activities and Education	$53,360	$49,260	50
257	Interpreters and Translators	$53,140	$56,360	230
258	Correctional Officers and Jailers	$53,040	$53,260	1,490
259	Medical Appliance Technicians	$52,950	$57,840	30
260	Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses	$52,750	$54,990	2,050
261	Mechanical Drafters	$52,610	$56,030	100
262	Tax Preparers	$52,530	$55,710	280
263	Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$52,520	$51,970	150
264	Architectural and Civil Drafters	$52,470	$55,530	460
265	Eligibility Interviewers, Government Programs	$52,350	$50,760	470
266	Massage Therapists	$52,000	$48,790	180
267	Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors	$51,830	$53,980	1,000
268	Forensic Science Technicians	$51,690	$54,770	30
269	Exercise Physiologists	$51,630	$57,010	30
270	Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters	$51,620	$55,530	1,760
271	Medical Records Specialists	$51,610	$54,380	900
272	Hazardous Materials Removal Workers	$51,420	$52,210	190
273	Special Education Teachers, Middle School	$51,360	$52,820	310
274	Librarians and Media Collections Specialists	$51,210	$53,840	490
275	Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics	$51,160	$55,660	2,010
276	Child, Family, and School Social Workers	$51,100	$53,320	2,050
277	Web Developers	$51,100	$53,950	390
278	Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School	$51,090	$53,530	790
279	Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$51,050	$53,960	3,360
280	Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education	$50,980	$53,290	2,130
281	Machinists	$50,890	$51,860	830
282	Electrical and Electronics Drafters	$50,840	$55,670	40
283	Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	$50,800	$50,680	180
284	Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders	$50,780	$50,950	270
285	Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operators	$50,750	$52,790	1,420
286	Pipelayers	$50,650	$49,800	300
287	Tile and Stone Setters	$50,640	$54,680	30
288	Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks	$50,530	$52,760	690
289	Mechanical Door Repairers	$50,500	$53,680	160
290	Tree Trimmers and Pruners	$50,430	$54,370	270
291	Roustabouts, Oil and Gas	$50,370	$54,400	40
292	Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers	$50,150	$51,330	60
293	Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education	$50,130	$52,680	4,290
294	Surveying and Mapping Technicians	$50,050	$52,260	110

South Dakota High-Salary Insights

The $50K+ jobs in South Dakota are concentrated in Healthcare Practitioners, Management fields.

55.1% of all tracked occupations in SD earn a median salary above $50K. The entry point for this group is $50,050/year (Surveying and Mapping Technicians), while the top earner makes $586,010/year.

South Dakota ranks #49 among all 50 states for the number of $50K+ jobs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many jobs pay over $50K a year in South Dakota?

According to 2025 BLS data, there are 294 occupations in South Dakota with a median annual salary above $50K. This represents 55.1% of all tracked occupations in SD.

What is the highest paying job in South Dakota?

The highest paying occupation in South Dakota is Radiologists with a median salary of $586,010 per year based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.

What is the minimum salary to be on the $50K+ list in South Dakota?

The entry point for the $50K+ list in South Dakota is $50,050/year (Surveying and Mapping Technicians). Any occupation with a median salary above $50K qualifies for this list.

What is the average salary of $50K+ jobs in South Dakota?

The average median salary among all 294 occupations that pay over $50K in South Dakota is $82,443 per year (2025 data).

How can I get a job that pays over $50K in South Dakota?

High-paying jobs in South Dakota typically require specialized education, certifications, or significant experience. Common fields include healthcare, technology, management, and engineering. Investing in relevant skills through certifications and advanced degrees can help you reach the $50K+ salary range. Check individual job pages for specific requirements.

Aiming for a $50K+ Career in South Dakota?

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Jobs Over $50K in Other States

These are gross salaries. After federal, state, and FICA taxes, take-home pay is lower.

More Salary Data for South Dakota

All South Dakota Jobs

Data Source & Methodology

This list includes all occupations with BLS-published state-level median salary data above $50K per year. Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. See our Methodology page for details.

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics