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Labor Market Information Center
2025 Annual Report
Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
Leisure and Hospitality Services Supersector
The Leisure and Hospitality Services supersector is comprised of the Arts, Entertainment and Recreation sector, and the Accommodation and Food Services sector. Businesses within this supersector provide cultural, recreational or entertainment services or provides customers with lodging and/or food for immediate consumption.
| South Dakota Covered Workers and Pay 2025 |
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| Supersector, Sector and Subsector | Number of Establishments | Average Number of Workers | Annual Pay |
| Leisure and Hospitality Services | 3,550 | 50,770 | $24,183 |
| Arts, Entertainment and Recreation | 791 | 8,175 | $24,913 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports and Related Industries | 209 | 1,399 | $28,410 |
| Museums, Historical Sites and Similar Institutions | 52 | 656 | $35,926 |
| Amusement, Gambling and Recreation Industries | 530 | 6,121 | $22,929 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 2,759 | 42,595 | $24,043 |
| Accommodation | 613 | 7,926 | $29,609 |
| Food Services and Drinking Places | 2,146 | 34,669 | $22,771 |
| Totals may not add due to rounding. Data subject to revision. Produced by the Labor Market Information Center, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation, in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. |
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Arts, Entertainment and Recreation
NAICS Sector 71
The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector’s employment increased in 2025 for the fifth year in a row since the COVID-19 pandemic caused a large drop in 2020. The number of workers increased 4.3% to a new annual average of 8,175. The average annual wage increased 0.4% to $24,913.
The Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation sector includes a wide range of establishments that operate facilities or provide services to meet varied cultural, entertainment, and recreational interests of their patrons. The following three subsectors make up the sector:
- Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries (NAICS 711)
- Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (NAICS 712)
- Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries (NAICS 713)
The Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries subsector contains establishments that produce or organize and promote live presentations involving the performances of actors and actresses, singers, dancers, musical groups and artists, athletes, and other entertainers, including independent (i.e., freelance) entertainers and the establishments that manage their careers. The subsector’s employment level increased 2.9% to 1,399 in 2025. The average annual wage grew 0.6% to $28,410. Significant employment gain was seen in the Performing Arts Companies and Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events industry groups. Event happenings in South Dakota have continued to increase, leading to a higher demand for workers.
Establishments in the Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions subsector engage in the preservation and exhibition of objects, sites, and natural wonders of historical, cultural, and/or educational value. Also included in the subsector are zoos, botanical gardens, and nature parks. This subsector saw an increase of 15 workers (2.3%). Wages increased $1,438 (4.2%) to an annual average of $35,926.
The Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries subsector’s employment level in 2025 was 6,121, an increase of 4.8%. The average annual wage for the year was $22,929. Establishments in this subsector operate facilities where patrons can primarily engage in sports, recreation, amusement, or gambling activities. Establishments also provide other amusement and recreation services, such as supplying and servicing amusement devices in places of business operated by others; operating sports teams, clubs, or leagues engaged in playing games for recreational purposes; and guiding tours without using transportation equipment. The largest employment gains in this subsector were seen in operation of golf courses, skiing facilities, fitness centers, and bowling alleys this year.
Accommodation and Food Services
NAICS Sector 72
The Accommodation and Food Services sector gained 100 workers (0.2%) in 2025 for an annual average of 42,595. The average annual wage was $24,043, increasing by $630 (2.7%). Establishments included in this sector offer a variety of services to patrons. The range of activities in this industry vary from providing lodging facilities to preparing meals, snacks, and beverages to patrons for immediate consumption. Since both types of service are often found in the same establishment, they are included in the same sector.
The Accommodation (NAICS 721) subsector’s employment level in 2025 was 7,926, decreasing 1.4%. The average annual wage increased 2.7% to $29,609. Establishments within this subsector provide lodging or short-term accommodations for travelers, vacationers, and others. Traveler Accommodation, RV Parks and Recreational Camps, and Rooming and Boarding Houses, Dormitories, and Worker’s Camps are the three industry groups within this subsector.
The largest of the three industry groups by a wide margin, Traveler Accommodation, includes hotels, motels, casinos offering lodging, bed-and-breakfast inns, and other traveler accommodations such as housekeeping cabins. Employment levels decreased for the second year in a row. Establishments such as the ones listed above find it difficult to hire and keep workers for positions of need.
The RV Parks and Recreational Camps and Rooming and Boarding Homes industry groups saw no significant employment change in 2025.
The Food Services and Drinking Places (NAICS 722) subsector’s employment level in 2025 was 34,669, an increase of 0.6%. The average annual wage increased 2.8% to $22,771. Special Food Services (food service contractors, caterers, mobile food services), Drinking Places (alcoholic beverages), and Restaurants and Other Eating Places are the three industry groups within this subsector. Establishments prepare meals, snacks, and beverages to customer order for immediate on/off premises consumption. Some provide food and drink only, while others provide various combinations of seating space, waiter/waitress services, and incidental amenities, such as limited entertainment. This subsector was the main driver in employment gain for the sector as all three industry groups had positive employment change in 2025.
Much of the employment increase came from Restaurants and Other Eating Places. Full-service restaurants continue to expand and open, requiring additional workers on a yearly basis. Limited-service restaurants are edging forward as well. Consumers relish stores that offer specialized sandwiches, bagels, coffees, and ice creams for eating pleasure.
Percentage-wise, Special Food Services saw the largest employment gain. A higher demand for catering and mobile food services has led to higher employment in this industry group.
