Project Management Specialists in South Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Project Management Specialists in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of $81,790 in 2024, about 19% below the national median of $100,946. That gap is wide enough to notice, but South Dakota's cost of living softens it considerably. The state's overall price index sits at 89.7 against a national baseline of 100, which means the same dollar buys roughly 11% more here than it does on average across the country. After adjusting for that difference, the real purchasing gap shrinks to around 9%.
The pay range is worth a look. A Project Management Specialist at the 10th percentile earned $56,510 in 2024, while one at the 90th earned $127,230. Top earners in this field make about 2.25 times what those at the low end take home. That kind of spread usually reflects a mix of experience levels, industry, and how much budget or staff a person actually manages. Someone running a $2 million capital project for a regional healthcare system lands in a different part of that range than someone coordinating a small IT rollout.
South Dakota employed roughly 1,270 Project Management Specialists in 2024. That is a small total compared to most states, which tends to mean fewer job postings and a tighter hiring market at any given moment.
BLS projects employment in this occupation to grow 5.6% nationally between 2024 and 2034, a pace BLS classifies as faster than average. We do not have a state-specific growth figure for South Dakota, so it is unclear whether the local market tracks that national rate or moves differently.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota project management specialists fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $67,630 and $104,180, with a median of $82,250.
Where do you stand?
Get an instant percentile reading. Anonymous, no signup.
Aggregate unlocks once 5 readers have shared a salary for this role and state.
Project Management Specialists 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 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
Less than 5 years
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
Common tasks (O*NET)
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+5.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
Sponsored
Build the skills employers list for Project Management Specialists
Online courses from licensed providers. We may earn a commission when you enroll. The commission does not influence our rankings or wage data.
Explore coursesCompare Project Management Specialists pay across nearby states
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota with another state
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Project Management Specialists in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Project Management Specialists in South Dakota is $82,250.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Project Management Specialists?
- The South Dakota median is -21.6% versus the BLS national figure of $104,968.
- What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $58,000 and the 90th-percentile at $130,400, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Project Management Specialists a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 5.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Project Management Specialists?
- 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.