Rawpixel.com // Shutterstock
1 / 50#50. Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.7% (350 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 9,830
--- Employment in 2023: 9,480
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,780
Fastest-growing jobs in South Dakota
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis revealed that, as of September 2025, the national hiring rate has reached a decade low, with the exception of the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Associated Press reports that several factors have contributed to this, including the impact of the eleven interest rate hikes that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and the dozens of tariffs enacted by President Donald Trump since the beginning of the year.
Economists generally agree that the long-run breakeven employment growth rate (or the rate at which new jobs need to be added to keep up with population growth) is somewhere between 70,000 and 90,000 jobs per month. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in August 2025, just 22,000 new jobs were added. June and July saw a combined 87,000 new jobs added to the workforce.
Those numbers are bleak, to be sure, but not all employment news is bad. Certain sectors, like health care and social services, continue to see rapid growth. The Bureau of Labor Statistics said average hourly earnings for all employees are also up by 3.7% over the past 12 months. The total number of hours worked per week has been edging down for all employees, providing opportunities for much-needed work-life balance.
The employment story also looks quite different from state to state. Some places, like Utah, New Mexico, Hawai'i, and Idaho, are seeing high-percentage job growth year over year; others, like Washington D.C., Iowa, and Kansas, have actually seen a shrinkage in the overall number of job openings.
Using BLS jobs data, Stacker determined the fastest-growing jobs in South Dakota. Occupations were ranked by the percentage increase in employment between 2023 and 2024. Jobs were excluded from the ranking if they had fewer than 1,000 people working in them in the state.
Keep reading to learn which jobs are growing the fastest in South Dakota.
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Bannafarsai_Stock // Shutterstock
2 / 50#49. Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.7% (80 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,270
--- Employment in 2023: 2,190
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,150
Vitpho // Shutterstock
3 / 50#48. Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.8% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,990
--- Employment in 2023: 5,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,880
VH-studio // Shutterstock
4 / 50#47. Child, Family, and School Social Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +3.9% (70 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,850
--- Employment in 2023: 1,780
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $53,140
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
5 / 50#46. Computer Systems Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.0% (40 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,050
--- Employment in 2023: 1,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $95,850
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anyaivanova // Shutterstock
6 / 50#45. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.0% (50 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,290
--- Employment in 2023: 1,240
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,540
anyaivanova // Shutterstock
7 / 50#44. Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.0% (50 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,290
--- Employment in 2023: 1,240
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $57,540
Fusionstudio // Shutterstock
8 / 50#43. Shipping, Receiving, and Inventory Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +4.1% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,790
--- Employment in 2023: 2,680
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,110
Etaphop photo // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. Electricians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.3% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,790
--- Employment in 2023: 2,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $58,550
nullplus // Shutterstock
10 / 50#41. Light Truck Drivers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.5% (230 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,380
--- Employment in 2023: 4,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $44,090
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Glenn Highcove // Shutterstock
11 / 50#40. Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.5% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,740
--- Employment in 2023: 1,650
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $45,590
shocky // Shutterstock
12 / 50#39. Meat, Poultry, and Fish Cutters and Trimmers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +5.7% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,040
--- Employment in 2023: 1,930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $42,890
fizkes // Shutterstock
13 / 50#38. General and Operations Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.2% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,440
--- Employment in 2023: 4,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $133,440
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
14 / 50#37. Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.4% (70 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,170
--- Employment in 2023: 1,100
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,680
Dmitry Kalinovsky // Shutterstock
15 / 50#36. Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +6.5% (80 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,310
--- Employment in 2023: 1,230
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $48,030
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Weerayuth Kanchanacharoen // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.0% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,150
--- Employment in 2023: 3,880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $37,280
G-Stock Studio // Shutterstock
17 / 50#34. Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.2% (390 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 5,840
--- Employment in 2023: 5,450
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,710
Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
18 / 50#33. First-Line Supervisors of Retail Sales Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +7.3% (260 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,840
--- Employment in 2023: 3,580
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,180
Shift Drive // Shutterstock
19 / 50#32. Computer User Support Specialists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.3% (100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,300
--- Employment in 2023: 1,200
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,780
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
20 / 50#31. Medical and Health Services Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.6% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,140
--- Employment in 2023: 1,050
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $116,210
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Stock Rocket // Shutterstock
21 / 50#30. Sales Representatives, Wholesale and Manufacturing, Technical and Scientific Products
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.7% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,620
--- Employment in 2023: 1,490
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $104,060
Syda Productions // Shutterstock
22 / 50#29. Dental Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +8.8% (100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,240
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $47,680
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
23 / 50#28. Claims Adjusters, Examiners, and Investigators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.2% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,070
--- Employment in 2023: 980
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $73,810
4 PM production // Shutterstock
24 / 50#27. First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.2% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,660
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,320
Drazen Zigic // Shutterstock
25 / 50#26. Pharmacists
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.3% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,290
--- Employment in 2023: 1,180
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $140,190
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lenetstan // Shutterstock
26 / 50#25. Radiologic Technologists and Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.7% (90 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,020
--- Employment in 2023: 930
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $66,320
ALPA PROD // Shutterstock
27 / 50#24. First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.7% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,240
--- Employment in 2023: 1,130
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $64,570
GLRL // Shutterstock
28 / 50#23. Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.8% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,230
--- Employment in 2023: 1,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,930
GLRL // Shutterstock
29 / 50#22. Buyers and Purchasing Agents
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +9.8% (110 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,230
--- Employment in 2023: 1,120
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $68,930
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
30 / 50#21. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.6% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,170
--- Employment in 2023: 3,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,780
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Canva
31 / 50#20. Home Health and Personal Care Aides
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.6% (400 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 4,170
--- Employment in 2023: 3,770
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,780
Avatar_023 // Shutterstock
32 / 50#19. Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.6% (100 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,040
--- Employment in 2023: 940
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $54,090
fizkes // Shutterstock
33 / 50#18. Management Analysts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.8% (310 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,180
--- Employment in 2023: 2,870
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $79,660
GagliardiPhotography // Shutterstock
34 / 50#17. Nursing Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +10.9% (640 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 6,520
--- Employment in 2023: 5,880
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $38,070
DenisProduction.com // Shutterstock
35 / 50#16. Food Preparation Workers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.0% (330 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 3,320
--- Employment in 2023: 2,990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,820
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Gorodenkoff // Shutterstock
36 / 50#15. Compliance Officers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.3% (120 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,180
--- Employment in 2023: 1,060
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $71,700
Dragana Gordic // Shutterstock
37 / 50#14. Pharmacy Technicians
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +11.4% (130 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,270
--- Employment in 2023: 1,140
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $43,760
Irene Miller // Shutterstock
38 / 50#13. Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.0% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,080
--- Employment in 2023: 1,840
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $56,720
Jason Person // Shutterstock
39 / 50#12. Cooks, Short Order
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +13.8% (250 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,060
--- Employment in 2023: 1,810
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $31,160
Bigflick // Shutterstock
40 / 50#11. Correctional Officers and Jailers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +14.0% (170 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,380
--- Employment in 2023: 1,210
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $52,310
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Ground Picture // Shutterstock
41 / 50#10. Stockers and Order Fillers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.3% (1,610 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 12,150
--- Employment in 2023: 10,540
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,990
Pressmaster // Shutterstock
42 / 50#9. Animal Caretakers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.7% (140 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,030
--- Employment in 2023: 890
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,460
Milkovasa // Shutterstock
43 / 50#8. Medical Assistants
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.8% (160 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,170
--- Employment in 2023: 1,010
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $39,350
aboutsung // Shutterstock
44 / 50#7. Dining Room and Cafeteria Attendants and Bartender Helpers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +15.8% (340 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 2,490
--- Employment in 2023: 2,150
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $28,640
Monkey Business Images // Shutterstock
45 / 50#6. Waiters and Waitresses
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +16.4% (1,000 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 7,080
--- Employment in 2023: 6,080
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $29,080
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Vasin Lee // Shutterstock
46 / 50#5. Residential Advisors
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +17.8% (270 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,790
--- Employment in 2023: 1,520
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $36,780
Leszek Glasner // Shutterstock
47 / 50#4. Property, Real Estate, and Community Association Managers
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +19.0% (220 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,380
--- Employment in 2023: 1,160
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $46,350
PeopleImages.com - Yuri A // Shutterstock
48 / 50#3. Coaches and Scouts
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +24.2% (240 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,230
--- Employment in 2023: 990
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $34,440
Andrey_Popov // Shutterstock
49 / 50#2. Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +26.8% (380 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,800
--- Employment in 2023: 1,420
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $50,790
Paolo Bona // Shutterstock
50 / 50#1. Cooks, Restaurant
- Increase in employment 2023-2024: +33.3% (470 employees)
--- Employment in 2024: 1,880
--- Employment in 2023: 1,410
--- Median annual salary in 2024: $35,150
This story features data reporting by Wade Zhou, writing by Madison Troyer, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 51 states.
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