Certifications & licenses in South Dakota

Compare requirements, salaries, and career paths for 27 professional credentials in SD. Data from BLS OEWS and primary state licensing sources.

Tracked careers

Top-paying

Dental Hygienist

$84,300

insights

What's different about South Dakota

Licensing landscape

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation

distinct boards

COSMETOLOGY

A full cosmetologist license in South Dakota requires the completion of 1,500 hours of education from a state-approved school.

South Dakota Cosmetology Commission

MASSAGE THERAPY

In addition to 500 hours of education, massage therapists must carry professional liability insurance with limits of at least $250,000 per occurrence.

South Dakota Board of Massage Therapy

PLUMBING

To qualify for the journeyman plumber exam, an applicant must document four years of experience, totaling at least 7,600 hours (1,900 per year).

South Dakota Plumbing Commission

Metro concentration

Where certified careers cluster

Rapid City, SD

12.3% of area employment

Office and Administrative Support

BLS OEWS May 2024

Sioux Falls, SD-MN

12.1% of area employment

Office and Administrative Support

BLS OEWS May 2024

Rapid City, SD

11.5% of area employment

Sales and Related Occupations

BLS OEWS May 2024

Cost-of-living adjusted

What nominal wages are actually worth in South Dakota

91.2

COL composite index

MERIC 2024

82.5

Housing index

13th lowest in US

National rank

A $60K salary in South Dakota has roughly the purchasing power of a $65.8K salary in an average-cost-of-living state.

Regional comparison

South Dakota vs. neighboring states

Certified Nursing Assistant · Median annual wage

State	Median annual wage	vs SD
SD	$38,070	—
ND	$42,530	+11.7% vs SD
MN	$43,770	+15.0% vs SD
IA	$38,450	+1.0% vs SD
NE	$38,490	+1.1% vs SD
MT	$42,020	+10.4% vs SD
WY	$41,040	+7.8% vs SD

Massage Therapist · Required training hours

State	Required training hours	vs SD
SD	500 hours	—
ND	750 hours	+250 hours
MN	625 hours (proposed)	+125 hours
IA	600 hours	+100 hours
NE	1000 hours	+500 hours
MT	500 hours	same
WY	—	no state requirement

Sources (9)

health_and_safety

Healthcare in South Dakota

13 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)	Required	$38,070	3-8 weeks	—
Dental Assistant	Required	$47,680	Varies	—
EMT	Required	$39,520	—	—
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)	Required	$49,170	1-2 years	—
Medical Assistant	No	$39,350	9-24 months	—
Medical Coder	No	$50,320	6 months to 2 years (for certification programs or associate degrees)	—
Paramedic	Required	$39,520	1-2 years	—
Pharmacy Technician	Required	$43,760	3-12 months	—
Phlebotomist	No	$37,860	4-8 months (for training program)	—
Radiology Technologist	Required	$66,320	2 years	—
Respiratory Therapist	Required	$64,720	2-4 years	—
Surgical Technologist	No	$52,400	9-24 months	—
Dental Hygienist	Required	$84,300	2-4 years	—

construction

Trades in South Dakota

8 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CDL Truck Driver	Required	$56,880	2-8 weeks	—
Electrician	Required	$58,550	4 years	—
HVAC Technician	No	$59,460	Varies by municipality and experience requirements (e.g., 4 years experience for some contractor licenses)	—
Plumber	Required	$50,790	4 years	$350
Welder	No	$48,340	—	—
Barber	Required	—	At least 21 months (9 months education + 12 months apprenticeship)	—
Cosmetologist	Required	$49,050	9 months - 2 years (for education program)	—
Massage Therapist	Required	$40,780	up to 6 months	—

business_center

Professional in South Dakota

6 paths

Career	License	Median salary	Time	Est. cost
CPA (Certified Public Accountant)	Required	$77,310	1-3 years post-bachelor's degree (for experience) + 18 months (for exam)	$1,200
Notary Public	Required	—	7-14 business days	$30
Paralegal	No	$57,300	Not specified (varies by education/experience pathway)	—
Personal Trainer	No	$36,960	—	—
Insurance Agent	Required	$61,630	1-2 weeks for exam scheduling, a few days for license issuance	—
Real Estate Agent	Required	$54,410	Varies (application within 60 days of exam)	—