How to Become a Pipefitter in South Dakota (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota employs about 1,760 pipefitters earning a median $51,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most pipefitters train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Dakota.

Compare Pipefitter 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. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
172.6Contact school for pricing$60,58752%Yes*200 mi
271.4Contact school for pricing$49,39056%Yes*170 mi
369.7$7,650 - $20,272$53,28956%Yes*131 mi
468.7Contact school for pricing$49,85948%Yes*221 mi
564.5$5,908 - $17,194$54,58147%Yes*219 mi
660.4$8,294 - $18,845$49,93054%Yes*192 mi
758.5$6,491 - $17,408$52,39049%Yes*192 mi
857.6Contact school for pricing$47,71344%Yes*186 mi
955.6Contact school for pricing$54,27736%Yes*264 mi
1048.3Contact school for pricing$51,139Not reportedYes*264 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 1,760 pipefitters according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,620 1. The state’s concentration of pipefitter jobs is 1.28x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a Pipefitter 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): $51,620 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Pipefitter in South Dakota

How to become a Pipefitter in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for pipefitters in South Dakota.

How long does it take? Most paths into the pipefitter 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 pipefitters earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for pipefitters in South Dakota is $51,620 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,230 and experienced professionals can earn $74,480 or more 1.

How to Become a Pipefitter in South Dakota

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Dakota training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. 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.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in South Dakota.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in South Dakota, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

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

Pipefitter 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]

Pipefitter Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in South Dakota vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Sioux Falls810$55,000$56,890$40,260$76,480
Rapid City360$55,850$55,880$39,530$74,450
Sioux City240$60,890$66,450$45,580$97,410

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 pipefitters in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 1,760 pipefitters 1. Nationally, pipefitter employment is projected to grow 4.5% 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 pipefitters earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for pipefitters in South Dakota is $51,620, which is $11,350 below the national median of $62,970 according to BLS data 1.

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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. 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.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)