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Cybersecurity Salary in South Dakota: Is It a Good Career?

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Cybersecurity pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $116,640/yr — 10% below the national median. Among U.S. states, South Dakotaranks #25 of 48 states by median pay.

The numbers in South Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Cybersecurity.

Median salary
$116,640/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$89,810 – $161,700
National median
$129,180/yr
Employed in South Dakota
770

Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics (OEWS), state estimates, May 2025 release.

What that pay is really worth in South Dakota

Salary alone can mislead — South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average. Here's the median adjusted for local prices (real purchasing power).

Cost of living (US=100)
88.6
Nominal median
$116,640
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $131,648
State income tax
None

Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #12 of 48 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #25 on raw salary.

South Dakota levies no state income tax, so more of that pay stays in your pocket than in high-tax states.

Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, US=100), 2024. Adjusted pay = nominal median ÷ (RPP/100) — purchasing power vs the U.S. average. State income tax = top marginal rate on wage income (Tax Foundation, 2025); your effective rate is lower and depends on income and deductions.

FAQ

How much do cybersecurity professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $116,640 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $89,810 and $161,700. That's 10% below the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for cybersecurity?

By raw pay, South Dakota ranks #25 of 48 states by median pay. Adjusted for cost of living (South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average), that median is worth about $131,648. Because South Dakota costs 11% less than the U.S. average, its pay stretches further — it ranks #12 of 48 once adjusted for cost of living, up from #25 on raw salary. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are cybersecurity professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 770 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +28.5% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Cybersecurity nationally — South Dakota pay is 10% below the national median. See the full Cybersecurity career guide →

The verdict

Yes — cybersecurity offers top-tier pay and one of the fastest projected growth rates of any field. The main caveat is that it's not truly entry-level: most roles want prior IT experience or certifications.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Top-tier, well-above-median pay
  • Among the fastest-growing fields (much faster than average)
  • Remote-friendly, high demand across every industry
  • Multiple paths in via certs, not just degrees
  • Intellectually engaging, constantly evolving

Cons

  • Not truly entry-level — expects IT foundation
  • High-stakes, on-call incident pressure
  • Constant learning to keep up with threats
  • Can be stressful during breaches
  • Cert and skills upkeep is ongoing

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • People with or willing to build IT fundamentals
  • Those who like continuous learning and problem-solving
  • Anyone wanting high pay and strong demand

✗ Probably not if…

  • People expecting a zero-experience entry point
  • Those who dislike on-call, high-pressure situations

What people are actually asking

Real Reddit discussions on whether Cybersecurity is worth it — titles link to the original threads.