South Dakota minimum wage (2026)
The minimum wage in South Dakota is $11.85 an hour – $24,648 a year for full-time work, rising to $12.30 on January 1, 2027. Compare it with what common jobs in South Dakota actually pay.
South Dakota minimum wage$11.85/hr
Scheduled increases
Annual inflation adjustment$12.30
Full-time minimum-wage pay
Gross pay before taxes for a full-time job at $11.85/hr.
Typical pay in South Dakota
457,380 jobs$22.63/hr$47,080 a year
The minimum wage equals 52% of the state's median hourly wage.
What common jobs pay in South Dakota
Median wage in South Dakota for its most common jobs (BLS, May 2025).
15,150 jobs in South Dakota$14.18/hrRegistered Nurses
14,710 jobs in South Dakota$37.53/hrRetail Salespersons
14,180 jobs in South Dakota$16.52/hrCashiers
12,860 jobs in South Dakota$14.32/hrStockers and Order Fillers
11,460 jobs in South Dakota$18.10/hrBookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
10,200 jobs in South Dakota$22.28/hrJanitors and Cleaners, Except Maids and Housekeeping Cleaners
8,630 jobs in South Dakota$17.06/hrWaiters and Waitresses
7,350 jobs in South Dakota$13.94/hrNursing Assistants
6,860 jobs in South Dakota$18.65/hrHeavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
6,470 jobs in South Dakota$28.21/hr
Nearby in the ranking
All states ranked ›Sources: U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division – State Minimum Wage Laws and the South Dakota labor department (rates, checked October 28, 2026); BLS OEWS (wages). Local and tipped rates are not shown.
Questions & answers
What is the minimum wage in South Dakota in 2026?
South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 an hour.
Is South Dakota's minimum wage going up?
It is scheduled to rise to $12.30 on January 1, 2027.
How much is a full-time minimum-wage job in South Dakota per year?
At $11.85 an hour, 40 hours a week for 52 weeks (2,080 hours) comes to $24,648 a year before taxes, or about $474.00 a week.
What is the typical wage in South Dakota?
The median wage for all jobs in South Dakota was $22.63 an hour ($47,080 a year) in May 2025, according to BLS. The minimum wage is 52% of that.
Can my city have a higher minimum wage?
Yes, if South Dakota allows local minimum wages, a city or county can set a higher rate, and employers must pay whichever rate is highest: federal, state or local. Check your city's labor office.