Millwright in South Dakota: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

South Dakota employs 240 millwrights, with a statewide median of $61,820 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Millwrights Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $61,820 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $50,790
Experienced (75th percentile): $64,090
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,600
Employed in South Dakota: 240
U.S. median (for comparison): $65,110 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for millwrights in major South Dakota markets:

Sioux Falls: $64,090 (60 employed)
Sioux City: $62,450 (40 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in South Dakota

Prices in South Dakota run about 11% below the national average (cost-of-living index 88.6 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $61,820 median stretches to roughly $69,774 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow millwrights employment +2.3%, faster than the +0.0% projected nationally. The state expects about 20 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship — regulated by the No South Dakota state license — union apprenticeship path.

South Dakota does not license millwrights.
Apply to a UBC Millwrights regional apprenticeship (earn-while-you-learn, ~4 years).
Complete on-the-job training plus related instruction in precision machinery installation and alignment.

Official requirements: No South Dakota state license — union apprenticeship path →

Training in South Dakota

Strong pay for precision mechanical work. South Dakota's ag-processing, ethanol, and manufacturing base hires; some travel for installs.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Dakota include:

Western Dakota Technical College — Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like mechanical puzzles, want solid union wages, and are comfortable with industrial environments.

Think twice if: Heavy lifting, industrial noise, and working around large moving machinery sounds miserable rather than interesting.

Why it's resilient: Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

First Steps

Contact the United Brotherhood of Carpenters (UBC) Millwright division or check local industrial union apprenticeship openings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do millwrights make in South Dakota?

The median wage for millwrights in South Dakota is $61,820 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $50,790, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,600. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Millwright in South Dakota?

No state license; UBC Millwright apprenticeship, overseen by the No South Dakota state license — union apprenticeship path. South Dakota does not license millwrights.

Is being a Millwright a good career in South Dakota?

Millwrights install and maintain industrial machinery — precision mechanical work that requires on-site problem solving in manufacturing plants and facilities.

Which South Dakota metros pay millwrights the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux Falls leads at $64,090, followed by Sioux City ($62,450). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Millwright in South Dakota?

Real South Dakota options include Western Dakota Technical College. Most millwrights start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Millwright a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects millwrights employment to change +2.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 20 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), South Dakota statewide and metro estimates for SOC 49-9044. Licensing summary compiled from the No South Dakota state license — union apprenticeship path (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET South Dakota wages · South Dakota licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.