How to Become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in South Dakota (2026)

Q: What is the job outlook for water damage restoration technicians in South Dakota?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 3.5% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034. State employment data for South Dakota is not separately published for this occupation.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota construction laborers earn a median annual wage of $45,710 ($21.98/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 1,780 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -3.0% below the national median of $47,120 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $45,710 ($21.98/hr)
25th percentile: $38,300 per year
75th percentile: $48,120 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $52,350 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $35,180 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 1,780
Versus national median: -3.0% below the U.S. median of $47,120
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.55 - this occupation is less concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

U.S. employment of water damage restoration technicians is projected to change 3.5% from 2024 to 2034 (BLS Employment Projections). Most water damage restoration technicians train through an approved program before entering the field in South Dakota.

South Dakota offers career opportunities for water damage restoration technicians. This page covers how to become a Water Damage Restoration Technician 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

Quick Answers About How to Become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in South Dakota

How to become a Water Damage Restoration Technician in South Dakota? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for water damage restoration technicians in South Dakota.

How long does it take? water damage restoration technician training length in South Dakota varies by program. Confirm current requirements with the school and the state board before you enroll.

How to Become a Water Damage Restoration Technician 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 water damage restoration technician 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 water damage restoration 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.

Water Damage Restoration Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), construction laborers 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	700	$46,850	$45,410	$36,470	$57,680
Sioux City	560	$48,630	$53,010	$37,980	$74,390
Rapid City	410	$45,630	$44,210	$35,830	$51,120

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 water damage restoration technicians in South Dakota? Nationally, employment in this category is projected to grow 3.5% from 2024 to 2034 ¹.

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.

In South Dakota

Best Trade Schools in South Dakota (2026)

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 - 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)