How long does woodworker training take in South Dakota?

Most paths into the woodworker field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What apprenticeships are available for woodworkers in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, registered apprenticeships are administered through the South Dakota Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Woodworker in South Dakota (2026)

Q: How much do woodworkers earn in South Dakota?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), woodworkers in South Dakota earned a median annual wage of approximately $45,950. Employment concentration in South Dakota is about 1.94 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: What is the job outlook for woodworkers in South Dakota?

South Dakota currently employs approximately 440 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -1.6% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated August 27, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

South Dakota cabinetmakers and bench carpenters earn a median annual wage of $45,950 ($22.09/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 440 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -1.6% below the national median of $46,680 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $45,950 ($22.09/hr)
25th percentile: $38,340 per year
75th percentile: $50,140 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $57,640 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $36,670 per year
Workers employed in South Dakota: 440
Versus national median: -1.6% below the U.S. median of $46,680
Job concentration: Location quotient 1.94 - this occupation is more concentrated in South Dakota than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed August 27, 2026.

South Dakota employs about 440 woodworkers earning a median $45,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most woodworkers train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in South Dakota.

Key Facts

Median wage (South Dakota): $45,950/yr (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Employed in South Dakota: 440 workers (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Location quotient: 1.94x U.S. average (Source: BLS OEWS, 2025)
Projected growth: -1.6% (2024-2034) (Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024)

Compare Woodworker 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.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Washburn Institute of Technology	71.0	Contact school for pricing	$56,774	66%	Yes*	394 mi
2	Fox Valley Technical College	67.6	$5,040 - $16,862	$55,857	63%	Yes*	538 mi
3	Moraine Park Technical College	66.9	$4,819 - $14,583	$53,771	54%	Yes*	542 mi
4	Northwood Technical College	66.6	Contact school for pricing	$49,705	54%	Yes*	384 mi
5	Madison Area Technical College	59.1	Contact school for pricing	$55,207	28%	Yes*	504 mi
6	Hennepin Technical College	58.9	$5,940 - $16,032	$59,906	43%	Yes*	300 mi
7	Western Technical College	56.2	Contact school for pricing	$53,114	36%	Yes*	402 mi
8	Southeast Community College Area	55.6	Contact school for pricing	$54,277	36%	Yes*	264 mi
9	Pioneer Technology Center	54.4	Contact school for pricing	$37,175	73%	—	521 mi
10	Milwaukee Area Technical College	52.5	$5,184 - $17,359	$52,346	25%	Yes*	575 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 440 woodworkers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $45,950 ¹. The state’s concentration of woodworker jobs is 1.94x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% from 2024 to 2034, with about 8,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a woodworker in South Dakota, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Woodworker Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters Wages by Metro Area in South Dakota

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), cabinetmakers and bench carpenters 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	380	$44,432	$44,475	$36,178	$57,289
Rapid City	N/A	$30,460	$35,360	$30,460	$38,740

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 .

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): $45,950 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Woodworker in South Dakota

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

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do woodworkers earn in South Dakota? The median annual wage for woodworkers in South Dakota is $45,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,670 and experienced professionals can earn $57,640 or more ¹.

How to Become a Woodworker 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 accredited 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 woodworkers 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for woodworkers in South Dakota? South Dakota currently employs approximately 440 woodworkers ¹. Nationally, woodworker employment is projected to grow -1.6% 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 accredited programs in South Dakota.

How much do woodworkers earn in South Dakota compared to the national average? The median annual wage for woodworkers in South Dakota is $45,950, which is $70 below the national median of $46,020 according to BLS data ¹.

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 - 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)