CPA in South Dakota

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$77,310

trending_down -5.4% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Dakota.

engineering

5,950

Jobs (SD)

monitoring Strong

+4.6%

10-yr job growth

payments

$1,200

Est. total cost

schedule

1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (for experience) + 18 months (for exam)

Time to complete

route How to become a cpa in South Dakota

To become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in South Dakota, candidates must meet specific education, examination, and experience requirements set by the South Dakota Board of Accountancy. This includes holding a bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours, passing the Uniform CPA Examination, and completing 2,000 hours of accounting experience within a 1-3 year period. Additionally, applicants must pass the AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or higher and apply for their certificate within 90 days of completing their experience to avoid a late fee. South Dakota offers reciprocity for CPAs licensed in other states with substantially equivalent requirements.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $59,190

25th percentile $64,300

50th (median) $77,310

75th percentile $93,350

90th (experienced) $110,630

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for South Dakota. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist South Dakota requirements

Licensing body	South Dakota Board of Accountancy
State license	Required
Education	Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours
Experience	2,000.0 hours
Exam	Uniform CPA Examination ($1,171)
Application fee	$100
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	120.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age: 18 years. No US citizenship or South Dakota residency required. Must pass AICPA Ethics Exam with a score of 90% or higher. Social Security Number is required for licensure, but not to sit for the exam. Experience must be completed in no less than one year and no more than three years. Application for certificate and passing the AICPA ethics exam must occur within 90 days of completing the experience requirement. If not, an additional $100 late fee applies. If applying for a certificate more than 3 years after passing the exam, the exam grades are nullified unless a waiver is granted.

Source: South Dakota Board of Accountancy

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.6%

Faster than average

Annual openings

124,200

Nationwide per year

Total employment

1,579,800

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

error High exposure 1.48/1.00

Many tasks in this career are susceptible to AI automation. Long-term career planning should account for potential disruption.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$1,200 investment ÷ $77,310 median salary

check_circleSouth Dakota license required — clearer credential signal to employers
warningElevated AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a cpa career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

What's required to work as a cpa in South Dakota? expand_more

South Dakota requires cpas to complete the required education (Bachelor's degree with 150 semester hours), gain 2,000.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Uniform CPA Examination, and submit your application ($100 fee).

Is a cpa license required in South Dakota? expand_more

South Dakota mandates state licensure for cpas. South Dakota Board of Accountancy oversees the process, which includes passing the Uniform CPA Examination.

What do cpas earn in South Dakota? expand_more

cpas in South Dakota earn a median of $77,310 annually. This trails the $81,680 national median by 5%. New cpas start around $59,190; seasoned professionals can reach $110,630.

What are the fees to become a cpa in South Dakota? expand_more

The full cost to enter the field runs about $1,200, factoring in exam fee ($1,171) and application fee ($100) and required training.

How many months or years does cpa certification take in South Dakota? expand_more

Expect to spend 1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (for experience) + 18 months (for exam) from start to finish in South Dakota — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What's required to renew a cpa license in South Dakota? expand_more

South Dakota requires 120.0 hours of continuing education every 1.0 year to maintain your cpa license.