Online Technical Writing Degree in South Dakota: Salary, Schools & Outlook (2026)
Quick answer: South Dakota employs about 70 technical writers (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing runs through target employers on the documentation samples they expect. Programs, the careers this degree opens, and what they pay are below.
Compare technical writing programs enrolling now:
Licensing and Credentials in South Dakota
Technical writing is not licensed and has no required certification. A portfolio of documentation samples is the working credential, and subject-matter fluency - including from trade experience - is what employers pay a premium for.
Requirements are set at state level and are amended periodically. Before you enroll in any program, confirm with target employers on the documentation samples they expect that the specific program you are considering satisfies the education requirement, and ask what it accepts from any training you have already completed. Get the answer in writing.
Earning the Degree While You Work
Most people reading this already have a job in the field, and the practical question is whether the credential can be earned without leaving it. Programs designed for working adults deliver the academic portion online or in the evening, while any labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience happen in person and locally. Prior college credit, military training, apprenticeship coursework and industry certifications can all shorten the path, so request a written transfer credit evaluation before you commit to any school.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record for this exact area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Technical Writers Earn in South Dakota
Technical Writers in South Dakota earn a median $63,350 per year, below the national median of $90,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Technical Writing Pay and Employment in South Dakota at a Glance
| Metric | South Dakota | National | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $63,350 | $90,390 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 10th percentile | $49,490 | $57,440 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 25th percentile | $53,730 | $70,880 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 75th percentile | $75,500 | $115,510 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| 90th percentile | $84,090 | $145,270 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Employment | 70 | 45,500 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Location quotient | 0.49 | 1.00 | BLS OEWS, May 2025 |
| Projected change (2024-34) | not published by state | 0.9% | BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34 |
How South Dakota Pay Compares to the Rest of the Country
The South Dakota median of $63,350 sits below the national median of $90,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Percentiles matter more than the midpoint when you are deciding whether a degree pays for itself: the 10th percentile is roughly where people start, and the 90th is what the top of the local market looks like after years of experience.
A location quotient of 0.49 puts South Dakota below the national average, so the occupation is less concentrated here than in the typical state. Expect a thinner local job market and fewer employers to move between (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The measure compares how concentrated the occupation is here against the national average of 1.00.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do technical writers make in South Dakota?
The median annual wage for technical writers in South Dakota is $63,350, below the national median of $90,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). The middle of the range runs from $53,730 at the 25th percentile to $75,500 at the 75th.
How many technical writers work in South Dakota?
South Dakota holds about 70 technical writer jobs (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Nationally the occupation employs 45,500, and BLS projects about 4,500 openings per year through 2034 (BLS Employment Projections, 2024-34).
Do I need a license to work as a technical writer in South Dakota?
Technical writing is not licensed and has no required certification. A portfolio of documentation samples is the working credential, and subject-matter fluency - including from trade experience - is what employers pay a premium for. Requirements are set at the state level and change periodically, so confirm the current rules with target employers on the documentation samples they expect before you enroll in any program.
Can I earn a technical writing bachelor's online while working in South Dakota?
Often yes. Programs built for working adults deliver coursework online or in the evenings, though any required labs, clinical hours or supervised field experience are completed in person. Confirm that the program's accreditation satisfies target employers on the documentation samples they expect.
What is the highest-paying area of South Dakota for technical writers?
BLS does not publish separate metro-level estimates for technical writers in South Dakota, so the statewide median of $63,350 is the best available figure (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Is South Dakota a good state for technical writers?
On pay, the state median of $63,350 sits below the national $90,390 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). A location quotient of 0.49 means the occupation is less concentrated here than in the average state. Weigh that against cost of living and how concentrated the work is near where you actually want to live.
Related Guides
- Technical Writing programs and how to choose one - the national guide to this degree
- CTE Teacher (Shop Teacher) career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
- Trade careers that require a 4-year degree
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Technical Writers (SOC 27-3042), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.