Plumber in South Dakota

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

Median annual salary

$50,790

trending_down -19.3% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, South Dakota.

engineering

1,800

Jobs (SD)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$350

Est. total cost

schedule

4 years

Time to complete

route How to become a plumber in South Dakota

To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in South Dakota, you must complete a registered apprenticeship program with 7,600 hours of experience over four years and be at least 18 years old. After meeting the experience requirements, you must pass the South Dakota Plumber Examination and pay the associated application and exam fees. Licenses must be renewed annually and require 4 hours of continuing education each cycle. South Dakota offers reciprocity with Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, and Iowa.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $39,080

25th percentile $44,410

50th (median) $50,790

75th percentile $63,260

90th (experienced) $75,290

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 State Plumbing Commission
State license	Required
Education	Completion of a registered apprenticeship program.
Experience	7,600.0 hours
Exam	South Dakota Plumber Examination ($100)
Application fee	$105
Renewal	Every 1.0 year
Continuing education	4.0 hours per cycle
Notes	Minimum age of 18 years old. Journeyman Plumber requires 4 years of experience (7,600 hours) as an apprentice. Plumbing Contractor requires 6 years of experience, with at least 2 of those years as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. Credit for military plumbing is given at the rate of one year credit for each two years in the military up to a maximum of five years of credit. A high school diploma or GED is also typically required.

Source: South Dakota State Plumbing Commission

workspace_premium South Dakota license tiers

South Dakota offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Plumber	7,600
Contractor	11,400

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -1.12/1.00

This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

0 months

~$350 investment ÷ $50,790 median salary

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

psychology

Wondering if a plumber 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

How do I become a plumber in South Dakota? expand_more

The path to plumber licensure in South Dakota: complete the required education (Completion of a registered apprenticeship program.), gain 7,600.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the South Dakota Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($105 fee).

Is a plumber license required in South Dakota? expand_more

South Dakota mandates state licensure for plumbers. South Dakota State Plumbing Commission oversees the process, which includes passing the South Dakota Plumber Examination.

What is the average plumber salary in South Dakota? expand_more

In South Dakota, the median pay for plumbers comes to $50,790/year. — 19% under the $62,970 national average. The range spans from $39,080 at the entry level to $75,290 for top earners.

How expensive is plumber licensing in South Dakota? expand_more

Between exam fee ($100) and application fee ($105), expect to invest around $350 in total to get started.

How quickly can I become a plumber in South Dakota? expand_more

Expect to spend 4 years from start to finish in South Dakota — covering coursework, supervised experience, and examination.

What are the continuing education requirements for plumbers in South Dakota? expand_more

To keep your license active, South Dakota mandates 4.0 CE hours every 1.0 year.