state record · wages by occupation
Wages by occupation in South Dakota
In South Dakota, the median annual wage across all occupations was $45,620 in May 2024, with 452,940 people employed, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
What stands out
In South Dakota, the median annual wage across all occupations was $45,620 in May 2024, with 452,940 people employed, according to the BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The highest median among detailed occupations is $234,480 for Podiatrists, the lowest $26,870 for Childcare Workers. The largest occupation by headcount is Registered Nurses with 14,500 jobs at a median of $69,510. Wages are annual, as published by BLS for May of the reference year; '≥ $239,200' marks BLS's top code. Every value links to its fact record.
Highest-paid occupations
Top 30 by median annual wage among detailed occupations.
| Occupation | Employment | Median annual | 10th pct | 90th pct | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Podiatrists 29-1081 | 30 | $234,480 | $155,730 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Nurse Anesthetists 29-1151 | 370 | $223,650 | $186,800 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Pediatricians, General 29-1221 | 80 | $217,990 | $175,270 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Family Medicine Physicians 29-1215 | 600 | $217,460 | $71,540 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric 29-1241 | 30 | $174,160 | $157,320 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Dentists, General 29-1021 | 270 | $162,860 | $96,800 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Computer and Information Systems Managers 11-3021 | 330 | $160,850 | $116,330 | $218,950 | evidence → |
| Architectural and Engineering Managers 11-9041 | 250 | $152,540 | $113,930 | $215,360 | evidence → |
| Financial Managers 11-3031 | 870 | $152,020 | $110,050 | $224,650 | evidence → |
| Computer Network Architects 15-1241 | 580 | $149,300 | $103,660 | $203,500 | evidence → |
| Marketing Managers 11-2021 | — | $145,390 | $99,310 | $231,500 | evidence → |
| Pharmacists 29-1051 | 1,290 | $140,190 | $119,250 | $160,360 | evidence → |
| Sales Managers 11-2022 | 450 | $133,590 | $71,730 | $217,750 | evidence → |
| General and Operations Managers 11-1021 | 4,440 | $133,440 | $82,470 | $230,160 | evidence → |
| Psychologists, All Other 19-3039 | 30 | $128,560 | $33,470 | $165,280 | evidence → |
| Physician Assistants 29-1071 | 650 | $128,130 | $102,720 | $154,050 | evidence → |
| Database Architects 15-1243 | 60 | $127,460 | $97,620 | $140,780 | evidence → |
| Personal Financial Advisors 13-2052 | 500 | $123,380 | $79,410 | ≥ $239,200 | evidence → |
| Nurse Practitioners 29-1171 | 950 | $122,600 | $99,980 | $153,600 | evidence → |
| Training and Development Managers 11-3131 | 50 | $120,760 | $95,940 | $137,370 | evidence → |
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | 130 | $120,310 | $94,480 | $194,330 | evidence → |
| Optometrists 29-1041 | 200 | $118,980 | $83,740 | $170,590 | evidence → |
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | 1,140 | $116,210 | $80,870 | $179,830 | evidence → |
| Purchasing Managers 11-3061 | 80 | $115,730 | $87,140 | $176,940 | evidence → |
| Construction Managers 11-9021 | 980 | $113,520 | $88,290 | $159,510 | evidence → |
| Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay 49-2095 | 50 | $111,680 | $67,130 | $129,810 | evidence → |
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | 480 | $111,630 | $58,190 | $163,330 | evidence → |
| Human Resources Managers 11-3121 | 360 | $109,100 | $78,670 | $173,910 | evidence → |
| First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers 41-1012 | 730 | $107,700 | $66,740 | $190,910 | evidence → |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary 11-9033 | 230 | $107,110 | $82,570 | $220,040 | evidence → |
Largest occupations by employment
Top 30 by number of jobs.
Metropolitan areas in South Dakota
Each has its own wage record.
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