"How long does it take to become a bookkeeper in South Dakota?"

"Most paths into the bookkeeper field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both."

"What apprenticeships are available for bookkeepers in South Dakota?"

"In South Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details."

How to Become A Bookkeeper in South Dakota

Q: "How much do bookkeepers earn in South Dakota?"

"According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), bookkeepers in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $46,340. Employment concentration in South Dakota is about 2.52 times the national average for this occupation."

Q: "What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in South Dakota?"

"South Dakota currently employs approximately 10,200 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -5.8% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034."

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks earn a median annual wage of $46,340 ($22.28/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 10,200 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -8.5% below the national median of $50,670 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $46,340 ($22.28/hr)
25th percentile: $39,370 per year
75th percentile: $52,000 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $59,140 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,730 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 10,200
Versus national median: -8.5% below the U.S. median of $50,670
Job concentration: Location quotient 2.52 - this occupation is more concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

South Dakota employs approximately 10,200 bookkeepers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $46,340 ¹. The state’s concentration of bookkeeper jobs is 2.52x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 170,000 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a bookkeeper in South Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Bookkeeper in South Dakota

How do I become a bookkeeper in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for bookkeepers in South Dakota.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do bookkeepers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in South Dakota is $46,340 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $35,730 and experienced professionals can earn $59,140 or more ¹.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (South Dakota): $46,340 per year ¹

Bookkeeper Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Bookkeeping, Accounting, and Auditing Clerks Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks 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	3,390	$46,910	$47,990	$37,300	$60,030
Rapid City	1,720	$46,810	$46,620	$35,170	$59,990
Sioux City	690	$47,390	$47,650	$34,630	$61,450

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 2025.

Top Metros for Bookkeepers in South Dakota

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest bookkeeper employment within South Dakota according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage
Sioux Falls	3,390	$46,910
Rapid City	1,720	$46,810

Explore bookkeeper programs in Sioux Falls and Rapid City.

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for bookkeepers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 10,200 bookkeepers ¹. Nationally, bookkeeper employment is projected to grow -5.8% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in South Dakota? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in South Dakota.

How much do bookkeepers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for bookkeepers in South Dakota is $46,340, which is $2,870 below the national median of $49,210 according to BLS data ¹.

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)