• Home to LMIC
• Virtual Labor Market Data System
  • Instructions for Using the Virtual System
  • Job Openings Data
• Career Exploration & Planning
  • Career Publications
  • Explore Occupations by Career Cluster
  • Explore Occupations by Interest Area
  • Hot Careers
  • Take the South Dakota Career Interest Survey
• Consumer Price Index
• Demographics
  • Affirmative Action/EEO
  • Area Profiles
  • Population
• Economic Snapshot
• Employee Benefits
• Employment Projections
  • By Industry
  • By Occupation
  • Hot Careers (High Demand-High Wage)
• Labor Force & Unemployment
• Labor Supply
• Overview of the Current Labor Market
• Surveys We Conduct
• Wages & Income
  • Wages by Occupation
  • Wages by Industry
  • Income
  • Minimum Wage Information
  • Prevailing Wages
• Workers by Industry
  • Nonfarm worker levels
  • Quarterly Census of Employment & Wages
• Tools & Resources
  • Postsecondary Graduate Outcomes System
  • South Dakota Career Interest Survey
  • Tapping Into the Power of LMI (recorded webinar)
  • Instructions for Using the Virtual Labor Market Data System
  • Virtual Labor Market Data System
• Publications
  • Annual Labor Market/Workforce Reports
  • Career Publications
  • South Dakota e-Labor Bulletin (current)
  • South Dakota e-Labor Bulletin Archive
  • South Dakota e-Labor Bulletin Articles
  • Other LMIC Publications
  • Order Publications
• References
  • Definitions
  • Program Overviews
  • FAQ
  • Related Sites
  • Release Dates
  • Survey Legitimacy
• What's New
• Can't Find It?

Labor Market Information Center

Overview of the Current Labor Market

The analysis below is based on the most current labor market data available at any point in time.

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 42,385 in June 2024. 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
June 2024

Labor Force

This data is seasonally adjusted.

Preliminary estimates show South Dakota's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.0% in June 2024. The labor force increased over the month by 200 workers (0.0%) to 481,700 workers. The level of unemployed decreased by 100 (1.0%) to 9,500 persons unemployed.

South Dakota's June 2024 labor force of 481,700 increased compared to the June 2023 level of 481,100. The level of employed increased by 600 (0.1%); the number of unemployed remained steady at 9,500. The unemployment rate stayed stable at 2.0%.

South Dakota Unemployment Rates by County

June 2024

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 5,600 (1.2%) from May 2024 to June 2024. This is slightly greater than the traditional May to June growth in the state. Over the last 10 years, worker levels have had an average gain of 5,000 workers from May to June.

Leisure and Hospitality had strong gains over the month, adding 3,100 workers (5.9%). The Rapid City Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) added 1,100 workers over the month, while the Sioux Falls MSA added 800. This growth is related to increased visitor levels which increases the need for additional staffing. Museums, campgrounds, zoos, casinos, fitness centers, hotels, and restaurants are examples of establishments included in this supersector.

Construction worker levels rose 6.6% over the month with the addition of 2,000 workers. Specialty Trade Contractors increased 1,000 workers (5.7%). Specialty Trade Contractors perform a specific activity, such as site preparation, pouring concrete, plumbing, painting, or doing electrical work. Construction of Buildings also had strong gains, adding 600 workers (8.0%) over the month. Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction had an increase of 400 workers (7.4%). This type of growth is typical as worker levels rise in the summer when crews are busy repairing roads and working on new buildings.

Retail Trade added 1,300 workers (2.4%), jumping to 54,900 workers in June 2024. This growth was spread throughout the state. During this time of year, many establishments increase their workforce to keep up with seasonal demand. Extended hours, summer sales, and back-to-school shopping are just a few factors that contribute to this growth. Souvenir stores, sporting goods retailers, garden centers, hardware stores, supermarkets, and gasoline stations are examples of establishments in this sector.

Private Education and Health Services had a loss of 1,400 workers (1.8%) over the month. Private Educational Services accounted for this loss, dropping 1,600 workers (19.5%). Declines in worker levels are typical from May to June as the school year ends and summer break begins. Health Care and Social Assistance added 200 workers (0.3%) over the month, and Hospitals added 200 workers (0.7%).

Over-the-year comparisons

The total nonfarm wage and salaried worker level increased by 6,600 workers (1.4%) from June 2023 to June 2024. The top contributors to this growth were Leisure and Hospitality; Construction; Private Education and Health Services; and Government.

Leisure and Hospitality had significant growth over the year, adding 2,200 workers (4.1%). This growth took place outside of the Sioux Falls and Rapid City MSAs. The Sioux Falls and Rapid City MSAs each had a loss of 200 workers over the year. Over-the-year growth is fueled by increased demand for travel and dining accommodations and entertainment events throughout the state.

Construction had an increase of 1,800 workers (5.9%), jumping to 32,500 workers in June 2024. This growth was spread throughout each subsector. Specialty Trade Contractors added 700 workers (3.9%) over the year, and Construction of Buildings added 600 workers (8.0%). Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction also contributed to the growth, adding 500 workers (9.4%). The demand for workers in construction has remained strong over the year, with many establishments booked for jobs months in advance. New residential buildings, commercial projects, renovations, and updates to infrastructures are just a few examples of the projects throughout the state.

Private Education and Health Services worker levels increased 1,500 (2.0%) over the year. The bulk of this growth took place in the Sioux Falls MSA (900 workers). Statewide, Health Care and Social Assistance added 900 workers (1.3%), reaching 70,500 workers. Hospitals increased 1.8% over the year, adding 500 workers. Private Educational Services increased 600 (10.0%), reaching 6,600 workers. This growth is related to increases in population and medical advancements, both increasing the need for workers.

Government worker levels rose 3.4% over the year with the addition of 2,800 workers. Local Government accounted for most of this growth, adding 2,100 workers. Local Government Educational Services added 300 workers (1.1%). State Government had an increase of 500 workers (3.1%) with State Government Educational Services adding 200 workers over the year. Federal Government added 200 workers (1.7%). Population growth drives the demand in Government; as communities expand so does the need for additional workers to meet those needs.

Manufacturing had a loss of 1,100 workers (2.4%). Manufacturing went from 45,700 workers in June 2023 to 44,600 in June 2024. Durable Goods accounted for this decline with a 5.6% drop. Durable Goods lost 1,600 workers over the year, dropping to 27,100 workers in June 2024. Durable Goods are not immediately consumed and can be kept for a longer time. Non-Durable Goods had an increase of 500 workers (2.9%). Non-Durable Goods are immediately consumed in one use or have a lifespan of less than three years.