How many jobs were lost in South Dakota last month?
Refreshed monthly
South Dakota lost 500 jobs in September 2026, ranking it 29th among states in job growth. Those figures come from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' state employment report, which tracks monthly job changes. Job numbers can swing month to month as local economies expand or contract, but over the past five years the state has averaged about 467 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
-500
month to month change in number of jobs (September 2026)
29th
rank among states in monthly job growth (September 2026)
September 2026's loss of 500 jobs was the 3rd consecutive month of negative job growth in South Dakota. Monthly job growth was down from the 300 lost jobs in August 2026.
During the latest five year period (October 2021 to September 2026), South Dakota gained jobs in 36 out of 60 months. September 2026 had the eighth-lowest job growth during this period. The highest gains during this period occurred in June 2023 (+2,900) while job growth was weakest in June 2024 (-1,500).
There were 500 fewer jobs in September 2026 in South Dakota than the previous month.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, October 2021–September 2026, seasonally adjusted
Which South Dakota sectors and industries had the best and worst job growth in September 2026?
The three supersectors with the highest job growth in September 2026 were state government, wholesale trade, and retail trade. State government added 200 jobs, more than the entire economy. Wholesale trade gained 100 jobs, while retail trade added 100. The remaining supersectors either posted smaller gains or lost jobs during the month.
The three lowest-performing supersectors were private educational services, construction, and durable goods. Private educational services lost 400 jobs in September 2026, while construction lost 100 jobs and durable goods lost 100 jobs.
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The health care and social assistance sector gained zero jobs during September 2026.
Change in jobs since previous month with circle size representing number of sector jobs in South Dakota (September 2026)
How has South Dakota's job growth changed over time?
In 2025, South Dakota gained an average of 8 jobs every month. That's lower than the 2024 average monthly increase of 292, and the lowest since 2020. The 2025 average ranks as 17th-highest in job growth since 2007.
When excluding the two pandemic-affected years of 2020 and 2021, job growth ranged from a loss of 817 in 2009 to a gain of 942 in 2023.
In 2025, South Dakota gained an average of 8 jobs every month.
Average monthly change in the number of jobs, seasonally adjusted
Job growth among two metro areas primarily in South Dakota during September 2026 ranged from a loss of 400 jobs in the Sioux Falls, SD area to a gain of 0 jobs in the Rapid City, SD area.
Monthly job growth, by metro area
Metro areas where at least one of its primary counties are within South Dakota
| Metro area | Change in jobs | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | +0 | |
| 2. | -100 | |
| 3. | -400 |
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Methodology
USAFacts standardizes data, in areas such as time and demographics, to make it easier to understand and compare.
Page sources
USAFacts endeavors to share the most up-to-date information available. We sourced the data on this page directly from government agencies; however, the intervals at which agencies publish updated data vary.
