Truck Driver Salary in South Dakota (2026): BLS OEWS Data, Top Metros & Carriers
Last verified: 2026-04-20 against the BLS OEWS 53-3032 May 2024 release (published March 2025).
South Dakota's trucking economy runs on I-29 (north-south, Sioux Falls–Fargo) and I-90 (east-west, Sioux Falls–Rapid City). Eastern SD is agricultural (corn, soybeans, cattle, ethanol). Western SD freight is influenced by tourism (Mount Rushmore, Black Hills) and ranching. No state income tax on wages is a meaningful real-pay feature.
Key Takeaways
- BLS OEWS 53-3032, May 2024 — South Dakota state median: $54,960. Employment: ~7,360.2
- South Dakota median sits ~$2,480 below the national median — offset by low cost of living AND no state income tax.
- Top paying metros: Sioux Falls MSA, Rapid City MSA.
- Distinguishing features: No state income tax on wages, low cost of living, agricultural freight, I-29/I-90 corridor convergence at Sioux Falls.
South Dakota Truck Driver Wages — BLS OEWS 53-3032 State Data
Verify at https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sd.htm.2
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median wage | $54,960 |
| State employment | ~7,360 |
| State vs national median | −$2,480 (−4.3%) |
How South Dakota Compares to the National Median
SD's $54,960 median sits ~$2,480 below national nominal.12 No state income tax plus below-national cost of living mean real purchasing power is often competitive with or above states paying more nominal.3
Top South Dakota Metros
Sioux Falls MSA
- I-29 / I-90 convergence.
- Financial services + distribution.
- Meatpacking + agricultural processing.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_43620.htm.4
Rapid City MSA
- I-90 west + Black Hills tourism freight.
- Ellsworth AFB logistics.
Data: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_39660.htm.4
Major Freight Industries
| Industry | Endorsement fit | Pay band |
|---|---|---|
| Agricultural (corn, soybeans, cattle, ethanol) | N for liquids | $52–$78k |
| Meatpacking freight | None | $55–$78k |
| LTL linehaul (I-29/I-90) | T | $70–$92k experienced |
| Tourism/hospitality (Black Hills) | None | $50–$72k |
Major Carriers Hiring in South Dakota
- Mega OTR: Schneider, Werner, CR England, Prime, Knight-Swift.
- LTL: Old Dominion, Saia, XPO, FedEx Freight, Estes.
- SD-based / regional: various grain + cattle specialty haulers.
- Dedicated: Walmart Private Fleet, Tyson Foods, Smithfield, Hy-Vee distribution.
FAQs
How much does a truck driver make in South Dakota in 2026? SD state median is $54,960 per BLS OEWS May 2024, with ~7,360 drivers employed.2 Sits ~$2,480 below national. No state income tax plus low cost of living make real purchasing power competitive.
Does SD's no state income tax really help drivers? Yes. For a $54,960 SD driver, the advantage vs a 6.75% state-tax state is ~$3,700 annually in take-home.
What are the largest carriers hiring in South Dakota in 2026? Schneider, Werner, CR England, Old Dominion, Saia, Walmart Private Fleet, Tyson/Smithfield dedicated, ag specialty haulers.
Sources
-
BLS OEWS 53-3032 National. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes533032.htm ↩
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BLS OEWS South Dakota State. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_sd.htm ↩↩↩↩
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BEA Regional Price Parities. https://www.bea.gov/data/prices-inflation/regional-price-parities-state-and-metro-area ↩
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BLS OEWS MSAs. Sioux Falls: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_43620.htm · Rapid City: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_39660.htm · All SD: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcma.htm ↩↩
