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South Dakota — sector wage premiums across 22 occupational sectors

Which sectors in South Dakota pay above the national average?

As of May 2025 BLS OEWS data, South Dakota pays +15.7% above the national average for Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations (state median: $43,630 vs national approx. $37,695). Across 22 sectors, South Dakota's highest-premium sector is Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations. Re-dated annually from BLS OEWS.

Source:U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — Major Group Rollups·As of May 2025 state estimates (major-group rollup) · updated annually (BLS OEWS) · last refreshed

Gera US Sector Pay Premium Index

South Dakota's top sector premium: Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations at GUPPI +15.7% (national avg: $37,695).

How this is calculated
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations +15.7%

South Dakota — GUPPI across all occupational sectors (BLS OEWS May 2025)

#SectorState medianNational avgGUPPI
1Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations$43,630$37,695+15.7%
2Healthcare Support Occupations$39,190$37,607+4.2%
3Protective Service Occupations$52,140$51,939+0.4%
4Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations$58,890$59,120−0.4%
5Production Occupations$46,220$46,816−1.3%
6Personal Care and Service Occupations$34,830$35,534−2.0%
7Sales and Related Occupations$37,050$39,171−5.4%
8Transportation and Material Moving Occupations$40,190$43,676−8.0%
9Office and Administrative Support Occupations$44,010$47,910−8.1%
10Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations$35,170$38,525−8.7%
11Business and Financial Operations Occupations$77,730$85,690−9.3%
12Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations$30,060$33,497−10.3%
13Community and Social Service Occupations$51,220$57,575−11.0%
14Management Occupations$110,270$126,800−13.0%
15Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations$77,740$90,805−14.4%
16Construction and Extraction Occupations$50,120$60,202−16.7%
17Legal Occupations$88,400$106,531−17.0%
18Architecture and Engineering Occupations$82,040$100,184−18.1%
19Educational Instruction and Library Occupations$48,850$61,160−20.1%
20Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations$65,570$85,407−23.2%
21Computer and Mathematical Occupations$81,420$113,425−28.2%
22Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations$46,040$64,550−28.7%

Benchmark your salary against the sector median in South Dakota

Enter your annual salary to see how you compare to the BLS OEWS May 2025 sector median for South Dakota.

Sector GUPPI for South Dakota: +15.7%State median: $43,630 · National avg: $37,695

Frequently asked questions

Which sector pays the most premium in South Dakota?
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations has the highest sector GUPPI in South Dakota: +15.7% (BLS OEWS May 2025 median $43,630/yr vs national $37,695/yr).
Which sector pays below average in South Dakota?
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations has the lowest sector GUPPI in South Dakota: −28.7% (BLS OEWS May 2025 median $46,040/yr vs national $64,550/yr).
How does South Dakota compare to other states for sector pay?
South Dakota (SD) has 3 sectors paying above the national employment-weighted average and 19 sectors below. Use the Gera Sector Pay Premium Index to browse all 22 sectors for any state.

Find jobs in South Dakota with salary ranges

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Data source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 — Major Group Rollups · May 2025 state estimates (major-group rollup) · Public domain (U.S. federal government work)

GUPPI computed by GeraJobs. Last updated: 2026-06-20. Full methodology · ← All sectors

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