What is the average wage in South Dakota?
Refreshed monthly
The average wage was $1,066 per week in May 2026, 0.3% higher than a year before. The average weekly wage, the typical earnings that employees bring home for one week of work, is a valuable indicator to assess economic conditions, labor market health, and wage trends. When accounting for the cost of living, South Dakota’s average weekly wage of $1,066 has the purchasing power of $1,203.
$1.07K
average weekly earnings, May 2026
0.3%
higher than a year before (adjusted for inflation)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) releases monthly statistics tracking the wages of all employees who don’t work for the government. In May 2026, the average weekly wage in South Dakota was $1,066. That represents the wages of 392,300 private-sector workers in the state.
As of May 2026, average weekly earnings for workers in South Dakota was lower than the US overall.
12-month rolling average of average weekly earnings, 2007-2026, adjusted for inflation
As with other averages, most people earn more or less than the average weekly wage. Pay varies based on industry and occupation.
Which occupations have the highest wages?
In South Dakota, workers in the mining, logging and construction sector had the highest average weekly earnings at $1,469 per week, as of May 2026. Leisure and hospitality workers had the lowest average weekly wage at $455.In South Dakota, mining, logging and construction workers had the highest average weekly wage.
Average weekly earnings, by industry (May 2026)
How do wages in South Dakota compare to the national average?
Cost of living, which also varies based on location, impacts how far a person’s earnings can go. Someone earning the weekly average will have more or less purchasing power depending on location. In South Dakota, cost of living is lower than the US overall, and the state’s average weekly wage of $1,066 has purchasing power equal to $1,203.South Dakota’s average weekly wage is below the national average, ranking 47th among states. When accounting for regional cost of living differences, South Dakota ranks 33rd among states.
Accounting for cost of living, South Dakota had an average weekly wage of $1,203 in May 2026.
Average weekly wage, May 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)
Which metro areas in South Dakota have the highest wages?
Among 3 metro areas at least partially located in South Dakota, the Rapid City, SD area has the highest average weekly wage at $1,162, when accounting for the cost of living.Among South Dakota metro areas, the Rapid City, SD area had the highest wages, accounting for cost of living.
Average weekly wage, May 2026, adjusted with regional price parity (2024)
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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.
