Welder Salary in South Dakota: $56,389 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $56,389/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,764 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($55,200), Rapid City ($51,690), Watertown ($47,962).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in South Dakota is projected to be $56,389, which is slightly above the national median of $55,895, reflecting a 0.9% increase. Sioux Falls ranks as the highest-paying city at $57,402, while Huron has the lowest average at $47,835, resulting in a salary gap of $9,567. This difference is driven by various factors, including demand in local industries, cost of living variations, and the concentration of manufacturing operations in metropolitan areas. Welders in South Dakota must often adhere to state licensing requirements, which can impact job readiness and market entry. The anticipated annual growth rate for welding jobs is 3.99%, indicating a steady demand in the field. South Dakota's economy supports this growth, driven by sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and energy. Major cities contribute significantly to the employment landscape, with Rapid City averaging $53,752, Watertown at $49,876, Yankton at $49,860, and Spearfish slightly lower at $49,735. Overall, the welding sector in South Dakota presents a favorable outlook, where local economic conditions and workforce demands support ongoing opportunities for skilled professionals in the trade.
South Dakota Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $35,920 (lowest entry-level) to $83,317 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota welders earn 0.88% more than the national median (+$494/year difference).
South Dakota Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in South Dakota range from $41,235 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,881 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,389. The South Dakota median is $494 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $27.11/hr. Approximately 1,095 welders are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,947
2025 BLS Actual
$54,225
2026 Current Est.
$56,389
2019–2027 Growth
+54.5%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,947 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,425 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,072 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,541 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,225 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,389 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,639 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 42.9% from $37,947 (2019) to $54,225 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,639 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,692 (54.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $47,835 |
| Vermillion | $47,909 |
| Brookings | $47,922 |
| Pierre | $48,733 |
| Aberdeen | $49,293 |
Best Value Cities for Welders in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $57,402 | 90.631 | $63,336 |
| Rapid City | $53,752 | 89.16 | $60,287 |
| Watertown | $49,876 | 92.8 | $53,746 |
| Yankton | $49,860 | 92.8 | $53,728 |
| Spearfish | $49,735 | 92.8 | $53,594 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,235 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,389 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,881 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $57,402 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $53,752 |
| 3 | Watertown | $49,876 |
| 4 | Yankton | $49,860 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $49,735 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $49,377 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $49,293 |
| 8 | Pierre | $48,733 |
| 9 | Brookings | $47,922 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $47,909 |
| 11 | Huron | $47,835 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced welders.
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in South Dakota?
How many welders are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for welders?
Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov