Welder salary in South Dakota
Median $23.77 an hour for 3,250 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Welder pay in South Dakota: the full range
South Dakota ranks 45th of 51 states for median welder pay, and 29th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.83). 3,250 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $18.32 – $21.98 | $38,100 – $45,710 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $21.98 – $28.54 | $45,710 – $59,360 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $28.54 – $30.47 | $59,360 – $63,380 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Welder pay by metro in South Dakota
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux City | $18.88 | $27.99 | $35.00 | 440 | 18% above |
| Sioux Falls | $19.30 | $26.54 | $38.52 | 850 | 12% above |
| Rapid City | $18.43 | $24.85 | $34.13 | 200 | 5% above |
Welder wages in South Dakota over time
Table
| Year | South Dakota $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $10.69 | $20.66 | $12.58 | 3,440 |
| 2000 | $10.73 | $20.06 | $13.13 | 2,440 |
| 2001 | $11.41 | $20.74 | $13.70 | 1,850 |
| 2002 | $11.67 | $20.88 | $14.02 | 1,840 |
| 2003 | $11.89 | $20.80 | $14.25 | 1,770 |
| 2004 | $12.33 | $21.01 | $14.72 | 1,760 |
| 2005 | $12.18 | $20.08 | $14.90 | 2,030 |
| 2006 | $12.72 | $20.31 | $15.10 | 2,250 |
| 2007 | $13.24 | $20.56 | $15.51 | 2,310 |
| 2008 | $13.83 | $20.68 | $16.13 | 2,480 |
| 2009 | $14.30 | $21.46 | $16.71 | 2,240 |
| 2010 | $14.53 | $21.45 | $17.04 | 2,170 |
| 2011 | $14.73 | $21.08 | $17.27 | 2,650 |
| 2012 | $14.78 | $20.72 | $17.45 | 2,700 |
| 2013 | $15.33 | $21.19 | $17.66 | 2,890 |
| 2014 | $15.96 | $21.70 | $17.99 | 2,980 |
| 2015 | $16.63 | $22.59 | $18.34 | 3,280 |
| 2016 | $17.14 | $22.99 | $18.94 | 3,020 |
| 2017 | $17.75 | $23.31 | $19.35 | 3,000 |
| 2018 | $18.00 | $23.08 | $19.89 | 2,970 |
| 2019 | $18.40 | $23.17 | $20.43 | 3,130 |
| 2020 | $19.14 | $23.81 | $21.25 | 2,770 |
| 2021 | $18.90 | $22.46 | $22.60 | 3,150 |
| 2022 | $21.49 | $23.64 | $22.86 | 3,150 |
| 2023 | $22.26 | $23.52 | $23.53 | 3,510 |
| 2024 | $23.24 | $23.85 | $24.52 | 3,480 |
| 2025 | $23.77 | $23.77 | $25.84 | 3,250 |
In today's dollars, the median welder wage in South Dakota changed by +5.2% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in South Dakota?
Keep comparing
Welder pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in South Dakota
Questions this page answers
How much do welders make in South Dakota?
The median welder in South Dakota earned $23.77 an hour ($49,440 a year) in May 2025, 8% below the national median of $25.84. The middle half earn $21.98–$28.54; the top 10% earn more than $30.47.
Where does South Dakota rank for welder pay?
South Dakota ranks 45th of 51 states for welder pay, with a median of $23.77 an hour, and 29th after adjusting for South Dakota's cost of living (BEA price parity 88.6, US = 100).
What is the union welder rate in South Dakota?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a welder classification for most South Dakota counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many welders work in South Dakota?
BLS counted 3,250 welders, cutters, solderers and brazers in South Dakota in May 2025, 7.1 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 2.66; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, South Dakota and metro areas, SOC 51-4121.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.