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

Skilled trades

South Dakota employs 1,760 plumbers, with a statewide median of $51,620 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Plumbers Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $51,620 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $39,230
Experienced (75th percentile): $62,050
Top earners (90th percentile): $74,480
Employed in South Dakota: 1,760
U.S. median (for comparison): $62,970 (May 2024)

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

Sioux City: $60,890 (240 employed)
Rapid City: $55,850 (360 employed)
Sioux Falls: $55,000 (810 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 $51,620 median stretches to roughly $58,262 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow plumbers employment +10.0%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 190 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

Journeyman Plumber license — regulated by the South Dakota DLR — State Plumbing Commission.

Register as a plumbing apprentice and build supervised experience.
Pass the journeyman plumber exam.
Apply to the SD State Plumbing Commission (DLR); add a contractor license to run your own business.

Official requirements: South Dakota DLR — State Plumbing Commission →

Training in South Dakota

UA Locals and PHCC contractors offer earn-while-you-learn apprenticeships. South Dakota licenses plumbers statewide.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Dakota include:

Sinte Gleska University — Certificate / Associate
Southeast Technical College — Certificate
Western Dakota Technical College — Certificate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who want durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in South Dakota?

The median wage for plumbers in South Dakota is $51,620 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $39,230, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $74,480. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

Journeyman Plumber license, overseen by the South Dakota DLR — State Plumbing Commission. Register as a plumbing apprentice and build supervised experience.

Is being a Plumber a good career in South Dakota?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which South Dakota metros pay plumbers the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux City leads at $60,890, followed by Rapid City ($55,850), Sioux Falls ($55,000). 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 Plumber in South Dakota?

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

Is Plumber a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects plumbers employment to change +10.0% from 2024 to 2034, with about 190 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 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the South Dakota DLR — State Plumbing Commission (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.