How to Become an Automotive Service Technician in South Dakota (2026)
South Dakota employs about 2,010 automotive service technicians earning a median $51,160 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as an Automotive Service Technician here means completing a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship.
Compare Automotive Service Technician Schools in South Dakota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck State College | 76.6 | $5,247 in-state / $7,331 out-of-state | $65,276 | 47% | Yes* | 203 mi |
| 2 | Lake Area Technical College | 74.7 | $6,718 | $49,488 | 73% | Yes* | 123 mi |
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| 3 | North Dakota State College of Science | 72.6 | $5,974 in-state / $6,973 out-of-state | $60,587 | 55% | Yes* | 200 mi |
| 4 | Northwest Iowa Community College | 72.4 | $7,350 in-state / $7,650 out-of-state | $60,885 | 58% | Yes* | 184 mi |
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| 5 | Northeast Community College | 71.4 | $3,840 in-state / $5,130 out-of-state | $49,390 | 56% | Yes* | 170 mi |
| 6 | Southeast Technical College | 69.7 | $7,650 | $53,289 | 59% | Yes* | 131 mi |
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| 7 | Western Dakota Technical College | 60.4 | $8,294 | $49,930 | 54% | Yes* | 192 mi |
| 8 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | 58.5 | $6,491 | $52,390 | 52% | Yes* | 192 mi |
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| 9 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 57.6 | $5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state | $47,713 | 50% | Yes* | 186 mi |
| 10 | United Tribes Technical College | 45.6 | $4,632 | $34,923 | 21% | Yes* | 198 mi |
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Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.
South Dakota employs approximately 2,010 automotive service technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,160 1. Nationally, automotive service technician employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 70,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become an Automotive Service Technician in South Dakota, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade-school or community-college program in the specialty (find programs)
- Typical timeline: a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship
- Exam: ASE or OEM certification
- Median wage (South Dakota): $51,160 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become an Automotive Service Technician in South Dakota
How to become an Automotive Service Technician in South Dakota? Complete a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm credential rules with the program and employer.
How long does it take? Most people finish a postsecondary automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program plus ASE or OEM credentials. This is not a default RAPIDS apprenticeship. Confirm current hour totals with the program and employer.
Do I need a license in South Dakota? Most states do not require a statewide occupational license. Employers typically expect ASE or OEM certification. See the licensing section below.
What do automotive service technicians earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for automotive service technicians in South Dakota is $51,160 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,670 and experienced professionals can earn $80,500 or more 1.
How to Become an Automotive Service Technician in South Dakota
- Meet program entry rules. Programs typically require a high school diploma or GED.
- Complete a specialty program. Finish an automotive, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision program. Some union shops use apprenticeships; the default national path is a certificate plus ASE, not DAS as the only option.
- Earn ASE or OEM credentials. Pass ASE tests or OEM training the employer requires. Some states add a separate smog or emissions credential; it is not the whole mechanic license.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the program and employer before you enroll.
Automotive Service Technician License Requirements in South Dakota
Most states do not license auto, diesel, motorcycle, marine, or collision techs as a statewide journeyman card. Employers expect ASE or OEM credentials. Some states add a smog or emissions credential.
Typical path
Complete a specialty program.
Earn ASE or OEM credentials.
Add a state smog or emissions credential only if that state and the job require one.
Hour totals, fees, and reciprocity rules change. Confirm current requirements with the employer before you enroll.
Automotive Service Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), automotive service technicians and mechanics wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 720 | $59,190 | $58,660 | $40,250 | $80,500 |
| Rapid City | 360 | $58,980 | $56,100 | $38,740 | $78,670 |
| Sioux City | 330 | $54,230 | $54,900 | $36,980 | $75,420 |
Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for automotive service technicians in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 2,010 automotive service technicians 1. Nationally, automotive service technician employment is projected to grow 4.2% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Dakota.
How much do automotive service technicians earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for automotive service technicians in South Dakota is $51,160, which is $1,490 above the national median of $49,670 according to BLS data 1.
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Citations
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/.
References
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2025-10-25) |
| O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones) | U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.) | O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13) |