Current Minimum Wage in South Dakota
The minimum wage in South Dakota is $11.20 per hour as of 2026. This is $3.95 above the federal minimum wage of $7.25/hr.
Wage Breakdown
| Pay Period | Gross Pay | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Hourly | $11.20 | 1 |
| Daily (8 hours) | $89.6 | 8 |
| Weekly | $448 | 40 |
| Biweekly | $896 | 80 |
| Monthly | $1,941 | ~173 |
| Annual | $23,296 | 2,080 |
Tipped Employee Wage
Tipped workers in South Dakota can be paid a cash wage of $5.60/hr, with the expectation that tips make up the difference to the full $11.20/hr minimum. If tips don't bring total compensation to the minimum wage, the employer must make up the difference.
Scheduled Increases
Adjusted annually based on CPI inflation.
Living Wage vs. Minimum Wage
Federal Poverty Line (single)
$15,060/year
Minimum wage is $8,236 above poverty line
Estimated Living Wage (SD)
~$15.76/hr
Based on cost of living index (92.7)
Cost of Living Context
South Dakota's cost of living index is 92.7 (national average = 100). This means living in South Dakota is 7.3% cheaper than the national average. The median hourly wage in South Dakota is $19.75/hr, which is 76% above the minimum wage.
Key Facts
Annual CPI adjustments since voter-approved 2014 measure. No state income tax offsets lower wages.
How This Compares
| Metric | SD | Federal | Highest (WA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Wage | $11.20 | $7.25 | $16.66 |
| Tipped Wage | $5.60 | $2.13 | $16.66 |
| Annual (FT) | $23,296 | $15,080 | $34,653 |
Useful Resources
South Dakota Average Salary
Median income and top employers in SD
South Dakota Tax Rates
Income, sales & property tax in SD
Salary Calculator
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Paycheck Calculator
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