SOC 15-1252 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Software Developers — West South Dakota
West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
At $96,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Software Developers, 28.7% beneath the national figure of $135,980.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $96,990, this is one of the lower medians recorded for Software Developers, 28.7% beneath the national figure of $135,980. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $79,080 and $124,780. The lowest tenth earn under $68,750, while the highest tenth earn more than $192,750.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.24 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Sioux Falls leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $101,040. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 26th of 281 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $68,750 | −49.4% |
| 25th | $79,080 | −41.8% |
| Median (50th) | $96,990 | −28.7% |
| 75th | $124,780 | −8.2% |
| 90th | $192,750 | +41.7% |
| Mean | $109,900 | −19.2% |
Other metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $101,040 | 1,400 | |
| 2 | Rapid City | $91,840 | 270 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $96,990 goes as far as $109,470 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 19.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$96,990as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$109,470US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $96,990 a year, 28.7% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $68,750 to $192,750 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $101,040.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Software Developers in West South Dakota, SD?
The median annual wage is $96,990, or $46.63 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 $135,980, so pay in West South Dakota, SD is 28.7% lower. 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 West South Dakota, SD earns more than $192,750 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $68,750 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 $101,040 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in West South Dakota, SD. 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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