Computer Programmers Salary
Computer Programmers in South Dakota make a median of $58,240 a year, or about $28 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $107K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $64,790 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 25.1% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $58K get you in South Dakota?
About computer programmers
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What this looks like in South Dakota
Pay for computer programmers in South Dakota runs about 42% below the U.S. median of $100K. Housing is manageable: a 2-bedroom at the HUD median costs $1,017/month, 25% of take-home, well inside the 30% guideline. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Lower pay, lower costs, South Dakota can be a reasonable trade-off for computer programmerss who value affordability over top-dollar markets.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level computer programmers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $107K or more, a $59K spread from bottom to top.
Compare to other states
Track computer programmers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a computer programmer afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 25% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for computer programmers in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new computer programmers typically earn — is $48K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,860/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 36% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is computer programmer a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Local pay runs 42% below the national median — $58K here vs. $100K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for computer programmers?
South Dakota pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $100K — that’s -42%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — below the national median.
How much do computer programmers make in South Dakota?
The median is $58,240 a year, that works out to about $28 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,670, and experienced computer programmers can clear $106,820. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,070/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 25% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a computer programmers salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median computer programmers salary is worth about $64,790 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do computer programmers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.