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Labor Market Information Center

Overview of the Labor Market

The overview below is based on South Dakota data for April 2026, the most recent data available.

Labor Supply

The number of South Dakotans who would be available to staff a new or expanding business, or South Dakota's labor supply, was estimated at 40,930 in April 2026. Included in this labor supply are those who currently hold jobs (and would like to change) and those who, for a variety of reasons, do not have jobs.

South Dakota Labor Supply
April 2026

Labor Force

This data is seasonally adjusted.

Preliminary estimates show South Dakota's unemployment rate decreased to 2.2% in April 2026. The labor force decreased over the month by 1,000 workers (0.2%) to 490,800 workers, and the level of unemployed decreased by 500 (4.5%) to 10,700.

South Dakota's April 2026 labor force of 490,800 was unchanged compared to the April 2025 level of 490,800. The level of employed decreased by 1,000 persons (0.2%); the number of unemployed increased by 900 persons (9.2%). The unemployment rate increased 0.2% to 2.2%.

South Dakota Unemployment Rates by County

April 2026

This data is not seasonally adjusted.

Notes about labor force data

The unemployment rate represents the number of unemployed as a percent of the labor force. People are classified as unemployed if they do not have jobs, have actively looked for work in the prior four weeks and are currently available for work. People who were not working and were waiting to be recalled to jobs from which they were temporarily laid off are also included as unemployed.

Labor force estimates for South Dakota are produced by the Labor Market Information Center in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The concepts and definitions underlying the labor force data come from the Current Population Survey (CPS), the household survey which is the official measure of the labor force for the nation. The statewide estimate of the number of nonfarm jobs is a component of the model used to produce the labor force estimates. Other data used in this model include the number of continued unemployment insurance claims and survey data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) which is specific to the state.

Although state specific data is used in the production of the labor force estimates for South Dakota, the state monthly model estimates are controlled in "real time" to sum to national monthly labor force estimates from the CPS. Therefore, variation in the estimates of the employed and unemployed are somewhat controlled by what is happening nationally.

South Dakota Nonfarm Wage & Salaried Workers by Industry

This data is not seasonally adjusted.

Over-the-month comparisons

Based on a monthly survey of South Dakota establishments, preliminary estimates show the total nonfarm wage and salaried worker level increased by 4,500 (1.0%) from March 2026 to April 2026. Gains over the month were scattered over several industries with Construction, Leisure and Hospitality, and Professional Business Services leading the way.

Construction worker levels rose 6.3% over the month with the addition of 1,700 workers in April 2026. Specialty Trade Contractors and Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction each added 700 over the month. Construction of Buildings gained 300 workers (4.7%), reaching 6,700 in April 2026. Construction employment typically increases during this season as road repairs, concrete projects, and new building work gets underway with the return of warmer temperatures.

Leisure and Hospitality added 1,400 workers (2.8%), jumping to 50,900. Museums, arcades, zoos, casinos, fitness centers, hotels, and restaurants are examples of establishments included in this supersector. Growth this time of year is expected as establishments increase staffing levels in preparation for a rise in visitors.

Professional and Business Services increased by 1,200 workers (3.4%). Establishments in this sector offer a wide range of services frequently used by other businesses and occasionally households. Temporary staffing services, janitorial services, payroll processing services, landscaping services, tax preparation services, and corporate offices primarily engaged in overseeing a company are examples of establishments in this sector.

Over-the-year comparisons

The total nonfarm wage and salaried worker level decreased by 1,100 (0.2%) from April 2025 to April 2026. The decline was scattered among several industries over the year; however, some of the larger declines were in Manufacturing, Retail, and Government.

Manufacturing worker levels declined 700 (1.6%), dropping to 43,800 in April 2026. Losses are a result of small declines spread across multiple establishments. Non-Durable Goods declined over the year with a loss of 500 workers (2.9%). Non-durable goods include food and beverage products, paper products, and fuel. Durable Goods Manufacturing worker levels also decreased by 200 (0.7%). Examples of durable goods include trailers, furniture, and electronic equipment. Consumer demand for the products being produced has a direct relationship to workforce levels in the Manufacturing sector.

Retail Trade showed a loss of 600 workers (1.1%) over the year. This sector went from 53,300 workers in April 2025 to 52,700 workers in April 2026. Retail establishments reduce staffing levels in the months after the year-end holidays. Souvenir stores, sporting goods retailers, garden centers, hardware stores, supermarkets, and gasoline stations are examples of establishments in this sector.

Government worker levels decreased 1,200 (1.4%) in April 2026. Federal Government accounted for most of the drop, declining to 10,600 workers. Local Government had a loss of 300 workers (0.6%), dropping to 52,200 in April 2026. State Government remained unchanged with 19,000 workers. Policy and budget changes throughout the year can influence employment levels at the federal, state, and local levels.