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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | Administrative Services Managers | Management | $106K | $51.16/hr |
| 42 | First-Line Supervisors of Non-Retail Sales Workers | Sales | $106K | $50.81/hr |
| 43 | Computer Occupations, All Other | Technology | $105K | $50.66/hr |
| 44 | Architects, Except Landscape and Naval | Engineering | $103K | $49.28/hr |
| 45 | Optometrists | Healthcare | $102K | $49.19/hr |
| 46 | Lawyers | Legal | $102K | $49.06/hr |
| 47 | Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay | Repair & Maintenance | $102K | $48.96/hr |
| 48 | Gas Plant Operators | Production & Manufacturing | $101K | $48.78/hr |
| 49 | Computer Hardware Engineers | Engineering | $101K | $48.75/hr |
| 50 | Facilities Managers | Management | $101K | $48.69/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
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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