Welders Pay Range in South Dakota
Pay distribution across experience levels
- 10th Percentile — Entry Level$38,100
- 25th Percentile — Junior$45,710
- 50th Percentile — Median$49,440
- 75th Percentile — Senior$59,360
- 90th Percentile — Top Earners$63,380
Half of Welders in South Dakota earn more than $49,440. The top 10% make $63,380 or more, while entry-level workers start around $38,100.
Welders in South Dakota: Key Facts
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025
- South Dakota ranks 47th of 51 states for Welders pay, at $51,980 per year (8.4% below the U.S. average of $56,760).
- 3,250 people work as Welders in South Dakota — 0.8% of all U.S. Welders jobs.
- Location quotient 2.66: Welders jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
- Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $38,100; the top 10% earn over $63,380.
- Hourly equivalent: $24.99 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
- The highest-paying state is Alaska at $80,100.
- Among skilled trades jobs in South Dakota, Electrical Power-Line Installers pays the most ($94,900).
Welders Job Market in South Dakota
Key factors affecting compensation
South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Welders here earn $51,980 on average, placing the state 47th nationally.
With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $51,980 is roughly equivalent to $59,747 at the national average cost of living.
Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Mississippi ($52,930), Oklahoma ($52,860), Kansas ($52,780) are the closest alternatives for Welders weighing a move.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025
Other Skilled Trades Jobs in South Dakota
Related career salary benchmarks
- Electrical Power-Line Installers $94,900/yr South Dakota +82.6% vs this role
- Aircraft Mechanics and Service Technicians $75,360/yr South Dakota +45.0% vs this role
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers $64,950/yr South Dakota +25.0% vs this role
- Farm Equipment Mechanics $63,550/yr South Dakota +22.3% vs this role
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics $62,610/yr South Dakota +20.5% vs this role
- Millwrights $61,230/yr South Dakota +17.8% vs this role
- HVAC Technicians $61,100/yr South Dakota +17.5% vs this role
- Bus and Truck Mechanics $59,480/yr South Dakota +14.4% vs this role
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this salary
What is the average Welders salary in South Dakota?
The average Welders salary in South Dakota is $51,980 per year (median $49,440), which is 8.4% below the national average of $56,760.
How does South Dakota rank for Welders pay?
South Dakota ranks 47th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Alaska ($80,100/yr).
How much do entry-level Welders make in South Dakota?
The lowest-paid 10% of Welders in South Dakota earn about $38,100 per year and the 25th percentile is $45,710.
How much do Welders make per hour in South Dakota?
About $24.99 per hour, based on the $51,980 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.
How many Welders work in South Dakota?
BLS counts 3,250 Welders jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).
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