How to Become a Plumber in South Dakota (2026)
South Dakota employs about 1,760 plumbers earning a median $51,620 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a plumber here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the South Dakota Plumbing Commission credentialing requirements.
Compare Plumber Schools in South Dakota
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition (published, per year) | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota State College of Science | 72.6 | $5,974 in-state / $6,973 out-of-state | $60,587 | 55% | Yes* | 188 mi |
| 2 | Northeast Community College | 71.4 | $3,840 in-state / $5,130 out-of-state | $49,390 | 56% | Yes* | 109 mi |
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| 3 | Southeast Technical College | 69.7 | $7,650 | $53,289 | 59% | Yes* | 3 mi |
| 4 | Ridgewater College | 68.7 | $6,121 | $49,859 | 50% | Yes* | 137 mi |
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| 5 | St Cloud Technical and Community College | 63.7 | $6,124 | $58,691 | 45% | Yes* | 189 mi |
| 6 | Minnesota West Community and Technical College | 58.5 | $6,491 | $52,390 | 52% | Yes* | 105 mi |
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| 7 | Western Iowa Tech Community College | 57.6 | $5,186 in-state / $5,330 out-of-state | $47,713 | 50% | Yes* | 76 mi |
| 8 | Southeast Community College Area | 55.6 | $3,690 in-state / $4,320 out-of-state | $54,277 | 38% | Yes* | 189 mi |
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| 9 | Iowa Western Community College | 48.3 | $6,930 in-state / $7,080 out-of-state | $51,139 | 40% | Yes* | 164 mi |
| 10 | Metropolitan Community College Area | 46.7 | $3,375 in-state / $4,950 out-of-state | $53,376 | 29% | Yes* | 163 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 1,760 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $51,620 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.28x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, plumber 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 Plumber in South Dakota, including licensing 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
- Licensing authority: South Dakota Plumbing Commission
- Median wage (South Dakota): $51,620 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Plumber in South Dakota
How to become a Plumber in South Dakota? South Dakota requires credentials such as Apprentice Plumber, Plumber, Journeyman, Water Conditioning Apprentice. The licensing authority is the South Dakota Plumbing Commission 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the plumber field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in South Dakota? Yes. South Dakota has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The South Dakota Plumbing Commission oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for plumbers 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 Plumber 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.
- Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the South Dakota Plumbing Commission, pass the required examination, and obtain the plumber credential before working unsupervised in South Dakota.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the apprenticeship sponsor or state apprenticeship office.
Plumber License Requirements in South Dakota
The South Dakota Plumbing Commission oversees plumber licensing in South Dakota 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Apprentice Plumber | Any person other than a plumber or plumbing contractor who is engaged in working as an employee of a plumbing contractor under the immediate and personal supervision of either a plumbing contractor or… |
| Plumber, Journeyman | A person engaged in the practice of and the furnishing and the use of materials and fixtures in the installation, extension, and alteration of all piping, fixtures, appliances, and appurtenances in co… |
| Water Conditioning Apprentice | A person other than a water conditioning contractor or water conditioning installer who is engaged in working as an employee of a water conditioning contractor under the immediate and personal supervi… |
| Water Conditioning Installer | A person other than a water conditioning contractor who is engaged as an employee of or otherwise working under the direction of a water conditioning contractor in the treatment of water and the insta… |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: StartTodaySD Apprenticeship Program
- Address: 123 West Missouri Avenue, Pierre, SD 57501
- Phone: (605) 910-7031
- Email: [email protected]
Federal Prevailing Wage in South Dakota
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in South Dakota earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent South Dakota general wage determinations show approximately $14.02 per hour in base pay plus $1.90 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $15.92 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
Plumber 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 Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | 810 | $55,000 | $56,890 | $40,260 | $76,480 |
| Rapid City | 360 | $55,850 | $55,880 | $39,530 | $74,450 |
| Sioux City | 240 | $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 plumbers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 1,760 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in South Dakota with an out-of-state license? Contact the South Dakota Plumbing Commission for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 plumbers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in South Dakota is $51,620, which is $11,350 below the national median of $62,970 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
South Dakota Plumbing Commission - Licensing Information: http://dlr.sd.gov/plumbing ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
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) |