Data Scientists in South Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
The median Data Scientist in South Dakota earned $92,000 in 2024, about 20% below the US median of $115,636. That gap is real, but it does not tell the whole story.
South Dakota's cost of living runs roughly 10% below the national average. After adjusting for what the money actually buys, the effective gap narrows to around 11%. A $92,000 paycheck here stretches further than the same number would in California or Massachusetts.
The spread between lower and upper earners is tighter than in most states. The bottom 10% of Data Scientists in South Dakota earned $62,240, while the top 10% earned $117,880. That puts the top-to-bottom ratio at about 1.9 to 1. For comparison, nationally the spread tends to be wider, reflecting large concentrations of senior and specialist roles at major tech firms. South Dakota's smaller pool of 270 employed Data Scientists likely skews toward mid-career generalist work, with fewer of the outlier-pay positions that widen the national distribution.
BLS projects employment for Data Scientists to grow 33.5% between 2024 and 2034, a pace it classifies as much faster than average. That outlook applies nationally, and South Dakota's total employment base here is small enough that even modest absolute gains would represent significant percentage growth. Whether the state captures a share of that expansion likely depends on hiring in financial services, healthcare, and state government, the kinds of organizations that employ most Data Scientists outside major tech hubs.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota data scientists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $83,810 and $123,260, with a median of $96,150.
Data Scientists in South Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 10 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $79,779. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 4 | $69,100 |
| Level II — qualified | 4 | $86,491 |
| Level IV — fully competent | 1 | $106,517 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Data Scientists in South Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moxie IT Solutions Inc | Data Analyst | 3 | $69,100 |
| Premier Bankcard LLC | Business Analyst | 3 | $86,661 |
| Bhrius Inc. | SAP Analyst | 1 | $94,000 |
| Dacotah Bank Aberdeen | Business Intelligence Modeler/Analyst | 1 | $83,408 |
| DENKEN SOLUTIONS, INC. | FINANCIAL DATA ANALYST (DATA VALIDATION & DATA QUALITY) | 1 | $86,320 |
| Prairie Lakes Health Care System, Inc. | Business Intelligence Analyst | 1 | $76,149 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Business Intelligence Modeler/Analyst at Dacotah Bank Aberdeen$83,408AberdeenWage Level IIDecided Mar 3, 2026I-200-26055-661732
- Sr. Business Analyst - Risk at Premier Bankcard LLC$106,517Sioux FallsWage Level IVDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-368681
- Business Intelligence Analyst at Prairie Lakes Health Care System, Inc.$76,149WatertownWage Level IDecided Aug 29, 2025I-200-25234-262905
- FINANCIAL DATA ANALYST (DATA VALIDATION & DATA QUALITY) at DENKEN SOLUTIONS, INC.$86,320SIOUX FALLSWage Level IIDecided Jul 22, 2025I-200-25196-174897
- Data Analyst at Moxie IT Solutions Inc$69,100MadisonWage Level IDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-056325
- Data Analyst at Moxie IT Solutions Inc$69,100MadisonWage Level IDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-056272
- Data Analyst at Moxie IT Solutions Inc$69,100MadisonWage Level IDecided Jun 12, 2025I-200-25156-056383
- Data Analyst at Premier Bankcard LLC$69,219Sioux FallsDecided May 23, 2025I-200-25136-987288
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Data Scientists 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.
Data Scientists in South Dakota, by industry
Median offered wage across 10 certified filings, grouped by NAICS industry sector. Finance and insurance leads with a median of $85,035.
| Industry | Largest employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Finance and insurance | Premier Bankcard LLC | 4 | $85,035 |
| Technology and software | Moxie IT Solutions Inc | 4 | $69,100 |
| Healthcare | Prairie Lakes Health Care System, Inc. | 1 | $76,149 |
| Professional services | DENKEN SOLUTIONS, INC. | 1 | $86,320 |
Sectors with at least 25 filings link to a dedicated page with full distribution and sample employer breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+33.5%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing much faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Data Scientists in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Data Scientists in South Dakota is $96,150.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Data Scientists?
- The South Dakota median is -19.9% versus the BLS national figure of $120,042.
- What is the salary range for Data Scientists in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $67,510 and the 90th-percentile at $145,510, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Data Scientists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 33.5% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Data Scientists?
- 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.