Highest-paying trades in South Dakota
27 trades ranked by median hourly wage, with the range, the rank among states and the union scale.
Every trade in South Dakota, ranked by median pay
| # | Trade | Median $/hr | Median $/yr | 90th pct $/hr | Jobs | State rank | 10-yr real change | vs US |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Construction manager | $56.91 | $118,380 | $77.61 | 1,070 | 18th of 51 | -0.1% | 3% above |
| 2 | Elevator mechanic | $55.92 | $116,320 | $57.74 | — | 17th of 37 | -3.4% | 6% above |
| 3 | Lineman | $46.79 | $97,310 | $56.99 | 740 | 27th of 51 | +4.6% | 2% above |
| 4 | Construction supervisor | $37.35 | $77,690 | $47.09 | 2,360 | 33rd of 51 | -1.7% | 3% below |
| 5 | Wind turbine technician | $35.49 | $73,820 | $38.13 | 180 | 9th of 25 | -17.4% | 15% above |
| 6 | Crane operator | $34.13 | $71,000 | $45.00 | 120 | 22nd of 50 | +11.7% | 4% above |
| 7 | Millwright | $29.72 | $61,820 | $35.86 | 240 | 35th of 48 | +8.4% | 6% below |
| 8 | Electrician | $29.51 | $61,390 | $38.49 | 2,980 | 36th of 51 | -2.1% | 3% below |
| 9 | HVAC technician | $29.51 | $61,390 | $36.15 | 1,610 | 24th of 51 | -0.6% | 1% above |
| 10 | Brickmason | $29.03 | $60,380 | $41.36 | 320 | 29th of 50 | -2.2% | 3% below |
| 11 | Heavy equipment operator | $28.61 | $59,500 | $36.48 | 2,050 | 31st of 51 | +14.7% | 1% below |
| 12 | Diesel mechanic | $27.94 | $58,120 | $37.89 | 1,340 | 43rd of 51 | +3.3% | 6% below |
| 13 | Ironworker | $27.43 | $57,050 | $35.96 | 440 | 38th of 50 | +23.9% | 9% below |
| 14 | Plumber | $24.82 | $51,620 | $35.81 | 1,760 | 50th of 51 | -10.5% | 19% below |
| 15 | Machinist | $24.47 | $50,890 | $29.25 | 830 | 49th of 51 | +2.2% | 13% below |
| 16 | Tile setter | $24.34 | $50,640 | $32.61 | 30 | 24th of 47 | -15.8% | 9% below |
| 17 | Welder | $23.77 | $49,440 | $30.47 | 3,250 | 45th of 51 | +5.2% | 8% below |
| 18 | Drywall installer | $23.49 | $48,850 | $28.55 | 360 | 33rd of 49 | +12.2% | 17% below |
| 19 | Painter | $23.15 | $48,160 | $28.63 | 670 | 31st of 51 | +26.1% | 3% below |
| 20 | Carpenter | $23.14 | $48,140 | $31.68 | 4,560 | 49th of 51 | +8.4% | 21% below |
| 21 | Sheet metal worker | $22.98 | $47,800 | $41.72 | 320 | 46th of 50 | -2.9% | 23% below |
| 22 | Roofer | $22.94 | $47,710 | $28.46 | 400 | 36th of 51 | +23.5% | 14% below |
| 23 | Cement mason | $22.67 | $47,160 | $30.47 | 2,550 | 45th of 51 | +13.3% | 17% below |
| 24 | Glazier | $22.66 | $47,140 | $28.22 | 220 | 41st of 50 | -3.6% | 17% below |
| 25 | Insulation worker | $22.03 | $45,820 | $29.00 | 340 | 41st of 48 | — | 7% below |
| 26 | Construction laborer | $21.98 | $45,710 | $25.17 | 1,780 | 35th of 51 | +23.1% | 3% below |
| 27 | Solar installer | $20.37 | $42,380 | $35.38 | 50 | 32nd of 32 | — | 20% below |
Construction jobs in South Dakota
Prevailing wage in South Dakota
Davis-Bacon determinations set the minimum wage package on federally funded construction. In South Dakota, 48 of 66 counties with a Building rate for electricians use a union contract rate (typical package $53.15/hr including fringe). Look up any county and trade.
Questions this page answers
What is the highest-paying trade in South Dakota?
Construction managers had the highest median wage among the trades tracked here at $56.91 an hour in May 2025, followed by elevator and escalator installers and repairers ($55.92) and electrical power-line installers and repairers ($46.79).
How does South Dakota compare with the rest of the country?
Across the 27 trades listed, 6 pay above the national median in South Dakota and 21 pay below it. The state's cost of living is 88.6% of the US average (BEA).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Dakota.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics through 2026-08.
- BEA Regional Price Parities.
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations (not the official determination).