verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Welder Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$49,440/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$23.77/hr
▼ 8% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
3,250
public U.S. Median
$53,750
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$55,810 #29 of 51

Welder pay in South Dakota, explained

Welders in South Dakota earn a median of $49,440 per year ($23.77 per hour), which is 8% below the national median of $53,750. Entry-level workers earn around $38,100, while the most experienced welders reach about $63,380. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $49,440 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $49,440 is worth about $55,810 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #29 for real pay (vs #45 on the sticker number).

See the full Welder Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Welder pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$38,100
$18.32/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$49,440
$23.77/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$63,380
$30.47/hr

Welder pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $49,440 $55,810
Wyoming $63,820 $68,852 −$14,380
North Dakota $62,000 $69,695 −$12,560
Minnesota $60,280 $61,123 −$10,840
Montana $55,610 $58,756 −$6,170
Iowa $55,090 $62,772 −$5,650
Nebraska $52,220 $57,956 −$2,780

Welder in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do welders make in South Dakota?

Welders in South Dakota earn a median of $49,440 per year ($23.77 per hour), compared with $53,750 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay welders well?

At $49,440, South Dakota pays 8% below the national median for welders. An estimated 3,250 work in the state.

Welder salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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