Skilled trades in South Dakota, ranked by pay
Of the 5 trades tracked here, the best paid in South Dakota is electricians at a median $61,390 a year. Across all 5, 16,070 people are employed in South Dakota. Each row links to the full wage spread for that trade in the state.
| # | Trade | Median annual | Median hourly | 10th–90th | Employed | vs US | State rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Electricians | $61,390 | $29.51 | $44,320 – $80,060 | 2,980 | 3% below | #36 of 51 |
| 2 | HVAC technicians | $61,390 | $29.51 | $48,420 – $75,190 | 1,610 | 1% above | #24 of 51 |
| 3 | Truck drivers (CDL) | $58,690 | $28.21 | $41,590 – $78,610 | 6,470 | about the same as | #27 of 51 |
| 4 | Plumbers and pipefitters | $51,620 | $24.82 | $39,230 – $74,480 | 1,760 | 19% below | #50 of 51 |
| 5 | Welders | $49,440 | $23.77 | $38,100 – $63,380 | 3,250 | 8% below | #45 of 51 |
"State rank" is where South Dakota places among the 50 states and DC on median pay for that trade — a low number means the state pays well for it. "vs US" compares the South Dakota median with the national median for the same trade.
Which of these to consider in South Dakota
Pay is one input, not the answer. A trade that pays a little less but employs far more people in South Dakota can be the easier one to get hired and stay hired in. Weigh the median against the employment column, and against the training time and licensing each trade demands — the parts this page will carry next, once each state's board data is sourced. For now, open a trade to see its full percentile spread and how South Dakota ranks against every other state.
Full detail by trade
Electricians in South Dakota · HVAC technicians in South Dakota · Truck drivers (CDL) in South Dakota · Plumbers and pipefitters in South Dakota · Welders in South Dakota
Or compare these trades nationally on the trade ranking, or pick another state from the state list.
Licensing requirements, apprenticeship programs, training cost and time-to-journeyman in South Dakota are being collected from state sources and will appear on this page once sourced and cited. The pay and employment figures here are the May 2025 BLS estimates; see how the numbers are built.