Carpenter salary in South Dakota
Carpenters in South Dakota earn a median of $48,140 a year ($23.14 an hour), based on BLS data for 4,560 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,890 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $60,580. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for carpenters pay. There are 10.0 carpenters per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for carpenters in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| 25th percentile | $42,190 | $20.29 |
| Median | $48,140 | $23.14 |
| 75th percentile | $60,060 | $28.87 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Average (mean) | $51,330 | $24.68 |
Half of carpenters earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,011.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,005.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,851.54 |
| Weekly | $925.77 |
| Hourly | $23.14 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Carpenter salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $51,100 | 350 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $49,410 | 1,640 |
| Rapid City, SD | $48,640 | 870 |
Highest-paying states for carpenters
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $85,280 |
| Illinois | $79,000 |
| California | $75,920 |
| Massachusetts | $75,200 |
| Washington | $74,190 |
| Alaska | $73,860 |
| New York | $72,330 |
| Minnesota | $64,930 |
| Connecticut | $64,060 |
| New Jersey | $64,010 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Cement Masons and Concrete Finishers | $47,160 | $22.67 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $59,500 | $28.61 |
| Construction Laborer | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | $51,620 | $24.82 |
| Painters, Construction and Maintenance | $48,160 | $23.15 |
| Structural Iron and Steel Workers | $57,050 | $27.43 |
| Roofer | $47,710 | $22.94 |
| Drywall and Ceiling Tile Installers | $48,850 | $23.49 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $45,820 | $22.03 |
| Brickmasons and Blockmasons | $60,380 | $29.03 |
| Sheet Metal Worker | $47,800 | $22.98 |
| Pipelayer | $50,650 | $24.35 |
| Glazier | $47,140 | $22.66 |
More: Construction and Extraction Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 47-2031. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a carpenter make in South Dakota?
The median salary for carpenters in South Dakota is $48,140 a year, or $23.14 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $65,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid carpenters make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of carpenters in South Dakota earn at least $65,890 a year. The top 25% earn $60,060 or more.
What is the starting pay for carpenters in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,720 a year, and a quarter of carpenters earn $42,190 or less.
How many carpenters work in South Dakota?
About 4,560 carpenters are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.