What the numbers say
The median Accountant or Auditor in South Dakota earned $77,310 in 2024, about 8% below the national median of $84,407. On paper that looks like a straightforward pay cut. The cost of living tells a different story.
South Dakota's cost-of-living index sits at 89.7, meaning prices run roughly 10% below the national baseline. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, that $77,310 is worth closer to $86,200 in national-baseline dollars, putting South Dakota workers slightly ahead of the US median in real terms.
The spread across the pay range is notable. The bottom 10% earned around $59,190 in 2024, while the top 10% reached $110,630. Top earners made nearly twice what entry-level peers did. That gap reflects the usual mix of experience, specialty, and whether someone ends up in a small regional firm or a larger corporate accounting department. The average wage of $81,670 sits above the median, which tells us a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Employment in this occupation totaled about 5,950 in South Dakota in 2024, a relatively small pool for a state its size. BLS projects 4.6% growth for Accountants and Auditors nationally between 2024 and 2034, an average rate of expansion. We do not have a state-specific projection from BLS for South Dakota, so we apply the national outlook as a general reference, not a local guarantee.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota accountants and auditors fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $64,300 and $93,350, with a median of $77,310.
Accountants and Auditors pay by experience level in South Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.7 / 5
Economics and Accounting
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Mathematical Reasoning
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare detailed reports on audit findings.
- 02
Report to management about asset utilization and audit results, and recommend changes in operations and financial activities.
- 03
Collect and analyze data to detect deficient controls, duplicated effort, extravagance, fraud, or non-compliance with laws, regulations, and management policies.
- 04
Supervise auditing of establishments, and determine scope of investigation required.
- 05
Inspect account books and accounting systems for efficiency, effectiveness, and use of accepted accounting procedures to record transactions.
- 06
Examine and evaluate financial and information systems, recommending controls to ensure system reliability and data integrity.
- 07
Confer with company officials about financial and regulatory matters.
- 08
Inspect cash on hand, notes receivable and payable, negotiable securities, and canceled checks to confirm records are accurate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+4.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Average growth
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Accountants and Auditors in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Accountants and Auditors in South Dakota is $77,310.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Accountants and Auditors?
- The South Dakota median is -8.4% versus the BLS national figure of $84,407.
- What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $59,190 and the 90th-percentile at $110,630, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Accountants and Auditors a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 4.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Accountants and Auditors?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.