Software Developer Salary in South Dakota
Based on 2K+ workers in South Dakota
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$96,310
$46.30/hr
vs National Average
$127,401
-24.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$66K – $160K
2K employed in South Dakota
The median Software Developer salary in South Dakota is $96,310 per year, with actual earnings falling between $65,530 and $160,380. This figure is approximately 24% below the national average, reflecting a current employment of 2,380 software developers within the state.
Several factors influence a Software Developer salary in South Dakota, including years of experience, specific programming languages and technologies mastered, and the size and industry of the employing company. Location within South Dakota can also play a role, with potential variations between larger cities and more rural areas affecting compensation.
Salary Distribution — Software Developer in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $65,530 |
| 25th percentile | $79,810 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $96,310 |
| 75th percentile | $121,190 |
| 90th percentile | $160,380 |
Software Developer H-1B Salary by Wage Level in South Dakota
DOL prevailing wage levels approximate seniority — Level I is entry-level, Level IV is senior/expert. Based on certified H-1B (LCA) filings in South Dakota.
| Wage Level | Experience | Median Salary | Filings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level II | Qualified | $102,500 | 6 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor OFLC LCA Disclosure Data, FY2026. Based on certified filings with a disclosed wage level.
Top-Paying Industries for Software Developer (U.S.)
Which industries pay Software Developers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Software Developers in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Information | $166,400 | 347K |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $147,010 | 18K |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $139,270 | 810 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $136,610 | 3K |
| Manufacturing | $136,330 | 136K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Software Developer in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $80,290 |
| 2023 | $82,850 |
| 2024 | $87,770 |
| 2025 | $96,310 |
| 2026 (projected) | $102,089 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $80,290 | $111,597 |
| 2023 | $82,850 | $118,750 |
| 2024 | $87,770 | $121,352 |
| 2025 | $96,310 | $127,401 |
| 2026 (projected) | $102,089 | $135,045 |
Software Developer Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $79,810 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $96,310 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $121,190 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $160,380 |
Software Developer Salary in Other States
Related Software Developer Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Software Developer ($96,310 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Software Developer | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer and Information Systems Manager in SD | $162,240 | +68.5% | $78.00/hr |
| Computer Network Architect in SD | $153,390 | +59.3% | $73.75/hr |
| Database Administrator in SD | $136,540 | +41.8% | $65.64/hr |
| Information Security Analyst in SD | $116,640 | +21.1% | $56.08/hr |
| Software Engineer in SD | $105,370 | +9.4% | $50.66/hr |
| Computer Hardware Engineer in SD | $101,400 | +5.3% | $48.75/hr |
| Computer Systems Analyst in SD | $99,790 | +3.6% | $47.98/hr |
| Data Scientist in SD | $96,150 | -0.2% | $46.23/hr |
| Network Administrator in SD | $75,010 | -22.1% | $36.06/hr |
| Computer Programmer in SD | $58,240 | -39.5% | $28.00/hr |
| Computer Network Support Specialist in SD | $53,650 | -44.3% | $25.79/hr |
| Web Developer in SD | $51,100 | -46.9% | $24.57/hr |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a Software Developer in South Dakota?
- The median salary for a Software Developer in South Dakota is $96,310 per year, which averages out to $46 per hour. This median salary is 24.4% lower than the national average for the role.
What is the salary range for Software Developers in South Dakota?
- In South Dakota, the salary range for Software Developers typically falls between $65,530 and $160,380 annually. This means most developers earn within this broad spectrum.
How does software developer pay in South Dakota compare to the national average?
- Software Developers in South Dakota earn significantly less than the national average, with a median salary of $96,310 compared to the national figure. This represents a 24.4% difference.
How many software developers are employed in South Dakota?
- There are approximately 2,380 Software Developers employed in South Dakota. This indicates a moderate presence of the profession within the state.