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Real Estate Salary in South Dakota: Is It a Good Career?

South Dakota · 2026 BLS salary data

Real Estate pay in South Dakota

The median wage is $65,170/yr — 23% above the national median. Among U.S. states, South Dakotaranks #10 of 48 states by median pay.

The numbers in South Dakota

Real BLS state-level figures for Real Estate.

Median salary
$65,170/yr
Pay range (25th–75th)
$47,960 – $77,070
National median
$52,830/yr
Employed in South Dakota
640

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
$65,170
Adjusted for cost of living
≈ $73,555
State income tax
None

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 real estate professionals make in South Dakota?

The median annual wage is $65,170 (BLS OEWS, state estimates), with the middle 50% earning between $47,960 and $77,070. That's 23% above the national median.

Is South Dakota a good state for real estate?

By raw pay, South Dakota ranks #10 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 $73,555. And with no state income tax, more of that pay stays in your pocket.

Are real estate professionals in demand in South Dakota?

About 640 people work in this field in South Dakota (BLS OEWS). Nationally, BLS projects +3.1% employment growth for this field from 2024 to 2034.

The verdict, pros, and cons below apply to Real Estate nationally — South Dakota pay is 23% above the national median. See the full Real Estate career guide →

The verdict

It depends heavily on you — the license is cheap and fast, and top agents earn a lot, but income is commission-only and most new agents wash out. Worth it if you're a self-starting salesperson with savings; not if you need a steady paycheck.

Pros & cons

Pros

  • Cheap, fast licensing (weeks, ~$2k)
  • Uncapped, commission-based upside
  • Flexible schedule and independence
  • No degree required
  • Skills transfer to investing and related fields

Cons

  • Commission-only — no base salary or benefits
  • High first-year washout rate
  • Income swings with the housing market and rates
  • Startup costs (marketing, dues, MLS) before you earn
  • Median pay understates the winner-take-most reality

Who it's for

✓ A good fit if…

  • Natural networkers and self-starters
  • People with a financial runway for the first year
  • Those who thrive on variable, uncapped income

✗ Probably not if…

  • Anyone who needs a steady paycheck
  • People uncomfortable with sales and cold outreach

What people are actually asking

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