How to Become a Maintenance Technician in South Dakota (2026)
South Dakota employs about 3,450 maintenance technicians earning a median $48,100 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most maintenance technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Dakota.
Compare Maintenance Technician Schools in South Dakota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mitchell Technical College | 78.9 | $7,524 | $54,865 | 76% | Yes* | 71 mi |
| 2 | Bismarck State College | 76.6 | $5,247 in-state / $7,331 out-of-state | $65,276 | 47% | Yes* | 203 mi |
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| 3 | Lake Area Technical College | 74.7 | $6,718 | $49,488 | 73% | Yes* | 123 mi |
| 4 | North Dakota State College of Science | 72.6 | $5,974 in-state / $6,973 out-of-state | $60,587 | 55% | Yes* | 200 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 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 57.6 | $5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state | $47,713 | 50% | Yes* | 186 mi |
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| 9 | United Tribes Technical College | 45.6 | $4,632 | $34,923 | 21% | Yes* | 198 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 3,450 maintenance technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,100 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% from 2024 to 2034, with about 159,800 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Maintenance Technician in South Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.
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): $48,100 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Maintenance Technician in South Dakota
How to become a Maintenance Technician in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for maintenance technicians in South Dakota.
How long does it take? Most paths into the maintenance technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
What do maintenance technicians earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in South Dakota is $48,100 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $37,340 and experienced professionals can earn $62,720 or more 1.
How to Become a Maintenance Technician in South Dakota
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
- Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in South Dakota that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- 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 maintenance technicians 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.
Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship Information in South Dakota
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Dakota’s apprenticeship program is administered by the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship 3.
Contact Information:
- Office: StartTodaySD Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 123 West Missouri Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
- Phone: (605) 910-7031
- Email: [email protected]
Maintenance Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), maintenance and repair workers, general 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 | 1,270 | $48,330 | $49,670 | $38,780 | $61,480 |
| Sioux City | 980 | $57,470 | $55,900 | $39,110 | $66,840 |
| Rapid City | 550 | $47,110 | $48,570 | $35,730 | $60,450 |
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 maintenance technicians in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 3,450 maintenance technicians 1. Nationally, maintenance technician employment is projected to grow 3.8% 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 programs in South Dakota. You can also contact the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do maintenance technicians earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for maintenance technicians in South Dakota is $48,100, which is $520 below the national median of $48,620 according to BLS data 1.
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In South Dakota
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
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) |