Top Paying Jobs in South Dakota
South Dakota has 100 tracked occupation categories totaling 46,680 jobs. The highest-paying occupations include Radiologists ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physicians ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610). The cost of living index is 89.89 (national average = 100). Median 2-bedroom rent is $1,017/month.
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State-level averages. Salaries, rent, and cost of living vary significantly between metros. For more accurate data, select a metro area from the list below or browse all metros.
$125K
Avg. median salary
89.89
Cost of living index
$1,017
Median 2BR rent
923,484
Population
Highest paying careers in South Dakota
| Rank | Occupation | Category | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | Physician Assistants | Healthcare | $133K | $64.04/hr |
| 22 | Psychologists, All Other | Science | $132K | $63.55/hr |
| 23 | Power Distributors and Dispatchers | Production & Manufacturing | $130K | $62.63/hr |
| 24 | Nurse Practitioners | Healthcare | $129K | $61.94/hr |
| 25 | Personal Financial Advisors | Business & Finance | $129K | $61.89/hr |
| 26 | Purchasing Managers | Management | $129K | $61.86/hr |
| 27 | Natural Sciences Managers | Management | $128K | $61.61/hr |
| 28 | Education Administrators, Postsecondary | Management | $126K | $60.65/hr |
| 29 | Training and Development Managers | Management | $124K | $59.69/hr |
| 30 | Medical and Health Services Managers | Management | $122K | $58.68/hr |
Affordability snapshot: South Dakota
These are statewide averages. Costs vary widely between metros, click into a specific city for precise numbers.
Cost of living vs. national average-10.1% less expensive
2-bedroom apartment (FMR)$1,017/mo
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Metro areas in South Dakota
Click a metro for detailed salary, rent, and cost-of-living data specific to that area.
Compare South Dakota to other cities
Side-by-side salary and cost of living comparison
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See what your salary is worth in South Dakota
Calculate take-home pay in South Dakota
After federal and state taxes
Can you afford a 2-bedroom in South Dakota?
Salary thresholds by HUD rent data
What salary do you need to live comfortably in South Dakota?
Monthly budget breakdown with HUD and BLS data