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

Skilled trades

South Dakota employs 3,250 welders, with a statewide median of $49,440 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact South Dakota licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in South Dakota (May 2025)

South Dakota median pay: $49,440 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $38,100
Experienced (75th percentile): $59,360
Top earners (90th percentile): $63,380
Employed in South Dakota: 3,250
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

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

Sioux City: $58,230 (440 employed)
Sioux Falls: $55,200 (850 employed)
Rapid City: $51,690 (200 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 $49,440 median stretches to roughly $55,801 in national buying-power terms.

Job Outlook in South Dakota (2024–2034)

South Dakota is projected to grow welders employment +10.1%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 420 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

South Dakota License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

South Dakota does not license welders.
Train at a technical-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in South Dakota

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. South Dakota's ag-equipment and manufacturing sectors drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in South Dakota include:

Lake Area Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Mitchell Technical College — Certificate / Associate
Southeast Technical College — Certificate
Western Dakota Technical College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in South Dakota?

The median wage for welders in South Dakota is $49,440 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $38,100, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $63,380. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

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

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. South Dakota does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in South Dakota?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which South Dakota metros pay welders the most?

Among South Dakota metro areas, Sioux City leads at $58,230, followed by Sioux Falls ($55,200), Rapid City ($51,690). 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 Welder in South Dakota?

Real South Dakota options include Lake Area Technical College, Mitchell Technical College, Southeast Technical College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in South Dakota?

South Dakota projects welders employment to change +10.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 420 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 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (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.