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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 41,270 in April 2025. 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 2025

Labor Force

This data is seasonally adjusted.

Preliminary estimates show South Dakota's unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.8% in April 2025. The labor force increased over the month by 700 workers (0.1%) to 493,600 workers. The level of unemployed decreased by 100 (1.1%) to 9,000 persons unemployed.

Over the year, South Dakota's April 2025 labor force increased compared to the April 2024 level of 486,300. The level of employed increased by 6,900 (1.4%); the number of unemployed increased by 400 persons (4.7%). The unemployment rate remained unchanged at 1.8%.

South Dakota Unemployment Rates by County

April 2025

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 5,000 (1.1%) from March 2025 to April 2025.

Leisure and Hospitality added 1,900 workers (4.1%), jumping to 48,400 workers. 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 build up their workforce to prepare for an increase in visitors.

Construction worker levels rose 5.7% over the month with the addition of 1,600 workers in April 2025. Specialty Trade Contractors and Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction each added 600 over the month. Construction of Buildings gained 400 workers (5.6%), reaching 7,600 workers in April 2025. Gains in Construction are typical this time of year as many establishments begin repairing roads, doing concrete work, and working on new buildings when the temperature rises.

Professional and Business Services increased by 1,000 workers (2.7%). Growth was scattered throughout many of the establishments in this sector. 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 increased by 5,300 workers (1.1%) from April 2024 to April 2025.

Private Education and Health Services added 1,900 workers (2.4%), jumping to 80,500 workers in April 2025. Health Care and Social Assistance accounted for this growth, adding 1,900 workers (2.7%). Hospitals had an increase of 800 workers (2.8%). The demand for workers in Health Care and Social Assistance has remained strong over the year. Growth is related to several factors, including population growth and an increase of specialized medical procedures which increase the demand for additional staff. Private Educational Services remained steady over the year with 8,000 workers in April 2025.

Construction continued to climb upward, adding 1,700 workers (6.0%) over the year. Construction of Buildings had the largest growth within Construction, adding 800 workers (11.8%) over the year. Specialty Trade Contractors also had strong growth, adding 600 workers (3.5%). Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction increased 300 (7.0%). As communities expand, the need for housing, commercial buildings, and infrastructure updates also grows.

Professional and Business Services had a gain of 1,100 workers (3.0%) over the year. This sector went from 37,200 workers in April 2024 to 38,300 workers in April 2025. Professional and Business Services has a wide range of services frequently used by other businesses and occasionally households. Growth in Professional and Business Services indicate other businesses are expanding at a rate where additional professional services are required.

Manufacturing worker levels declined 1,200 (2.6%), dropping to 44,100 workers in April 2025. Losses are a result of small declines spread across multiple establishments over the year. Manufacturing has had over-the-year losses since June 2024. Durable Goods Manufacturing worker levels decreased by 800 workers (2.8%). Examples of Durable Goods include trailers, furniture, and electronic equipment. Non-Durable Goods also declined over the year with a loss of 400 workers (2.3%). Non-Durable Goods include food and beverage products, paper products, and fuel.

Other Services (except Public Administration) had an over-the-year gains of 700 workers (3.8%). Increased population growth drives the demand for the services provided in this sector. This sector includes a wide variety of business types, including beauty salons, car washes, wedding planning services, civic and social organizations, general automotive repair shops, and pet boarding services.