SOC 39-5012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota is $49,800 per year, well above the national median of $35,790.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota is $49,800 per year, well above the national median of $35,790. The gap of 39.1% is among the widest recorded for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $42,870 and $56,200. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $32,090 and the ninetieth at $61,900.
The area has 690 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.5 of every thousand jobs. South Dakota ranks number 4th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Sioux Falls records the highest median at $50,500. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 323rd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $32,090 | −10.3% |
| 25th | $42,870 | +19.8% |
| Median (50th) | $49,800 | +39.1% |
| 75th | $56,200 | +57.0% |
| 90th | $61,900 | +73.0% |
| Mean | $48,310 | +35.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $50,500 | 320 | |
| 2 | Rapid City | $48,440 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $49,800 goes as far as $56,208 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 57.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,800as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$56,208US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,800 a year, 39.1% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $32,090 to $61,900 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 690 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 4th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $50,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Hairdressers, Hairstylists, and Cosmetologists in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $49,800, or $23.94 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $35,790, so pay in South Dakota is 39.1% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Dakota earns more than $61,900 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $32,090 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sioux Falls, at $50,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 690 jobs in this occupation in South Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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