How many jobs were lost in South Dakota last month?
Refreshed monthly
South Dakota lost 100 jobs in July 2026, ranking it 28th 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 473 new jobs per month. These figures are often revised in later months as more complete data rolls in.
-100
month to month change in number of jobs (July 2026)
28th
rank among states in monthly job growth (July 2026)
South Dakota’s job loss of 100 in July 2026 was a directional change from the previous month. The latest monthly job change was down from the 0 loss in June 2026.
During the latest five year period (August 2021 to July 2026), South Dakota gained jobs in 37 out of 60 months. July 2026 had the 19th-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 100 fewer jobs in July 2026 in South Dakota than the previous month.
Monthly change in nonfarm employment, August 2021–July 2026, seasonally adjusted
Which South Dakota sectors and industries had the best and worst job growth in July 2026?
The three supersectors with the highest job growth in July 2026 were wholesale trade, construction, and non-durable goods. Wholesale trade added 400 jobs, more than the entire economy. Construction gained 100 jobs, while non-durable goods added 100. The remaining supersectors either posted smaller gains or lost jobs during the month.
The three lowest-performing supersectors were retail trade, health care and social assistance, and private educational services. Retail trade lost 600 jobs in July 2026, while health care and social assistance lost 400 jobs and private educational services lost 200 jobs.
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The health care and social assistance sector lost 400 jobs during July 2026.
Change in jobs since previous month with circle size representing number of sector jobs in South Dakota (July 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 lower 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 on average every month in 2009 to a gain of 1,100 on average every month in 2022.
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 July 2026 ranged from a loss of 300 jobs in the Rapid City, SD area to a loss of 300 jobs in the Sioux Falls, SD area metro 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. | +100 | |
| 2. | -300 | |
| 3. | -300 |
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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.
