How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Dakota (2026)

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 about 10,200 bookkeepers earning a median $46,340 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most bookkeepers train through an approved program before entering the field in South Dakota.

Compare Bookkeeper Schools in South Dakota

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Rasmussen University-North Dakota	70.8	$13,957	$59,996	29%	Yes*	229 mi
2	Southeast Technical College	69.7	$7,650	$53,289	59%	Yes*	131 mi
3	Ridgewater College	68.7	$6,121	$49,859	50%	Yes*	221 mi
4	Minnesota State Community and Technical College	64.5	$5,908	$54,581	47%	Yes*	219 mi
5	Western Dakota Technical College	60.4	$8,294	$49,930	54%	Yes*	192 mi
6	Minnesota West Community and Technical College	58.5	$6,491	$52,390	52%	Yes*	192 mi
7	Western Iowa Tech Community College	57.6	$5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state	$47,713	50%	Yes*	186 mi
8	Sinte Gleska University	30.0	$4,714	$51,797	15%	Yes*	85 mi

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 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.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school or community college
Typical timeline: varies by program; confirm with the school
Median wage (South Dakota): $46,340 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Dakota

How to 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? bookkeeper training length in South Dakota varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

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.

How to Become a Bookkeeper in South Dakota

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota training programs require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete an approved training program. Enroll in an approved bookkeeper program in South Dakota that combines classroom instruction with supervised practice.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Meet state and employer requirements. Confirm any registration, certification, or employer requirements that apply to bookkeepers in South Dakota before you start working.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

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 ( 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 .

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 state-approved training programs. Use the school finder above to search for 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.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in South Dakota

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)