South Dakota's Minimum Wage in 2026
The minimum wage in South Dakota is $11.85 an hour, $4.60 more than the federal minimum of $7.25. It rises to $12.30 on Jan 1, 2027. Full time, that is $24,648 a year before taxes. Source
After federal and state taxes, a single full-time worker keeps about $21,907 a year, or $842.59 every two weeks.
What the South Dakota minimum wage pays
| At $11.85 | From Jan 1, 2027 ($12.30) | |
|---|---|---|
| Per hour | $11.85 | $12.30 |
| Per 8-hour day | $94.80 | $98.40 |
| Per 40-hour week | $474.00 | $492.00 |
| Every two weeks | $948.00 | $984.00 |
| Per month | $2,054.00 | $2,132.00 |
| Per year (2,080 hours) | $24,648.00 | $25,584.00 |
| Take-home every two weeks | $842.59 | $872.24 |
| Take-home per year | $21,907.34 | $22,678.24 |
Before taxes, except the take-home rows: after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and South Dakota income tax and payroll programs, single filer, 2026 Form W-4, no other deductions. Part time at 20 hours a week, the minimum wage is $12,324 a year and about $11,381 after taxes.
South Dakota minimum wage rules
Each rule links to the official source. Checked Oct 25, 2026. The federal minimum of $7.25 applies wherever a state rate is lower. Source
| Topic | The rule | Official source |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum wage | South Dakota's minimum wage is $11.85 an hour in 2026. Tipped employees must get a cash wage of at least $5.925 an hour. On January 1, 2027 the rates rise to $12.30 and $6.15. | SD Dept. of Labor and Regulation, Minimum Wage |
| Tipped employees | If you regularly get more than $35 a month in tips, your cash wage plus tips must add up to at least the minimum wage. If they fall short, your employer must make up the difference. | SD Dept. of Labor and Regulation, Minimum Wage FAQ |
| Overtime | South Dakota has no state overtime or comp time law. Whether you get overtime pay is decided by federal law, the Fair Labor Standards Act, not by South Dakota law. | SD Dept. of Labor and Regulation, Comp Time/Overtime |
How South Dakota's minimum wage compares
South Dakota has the 26th-highest minimum wage of the 50 states and DC.
The typical (median) worker in South Dakota earns $22.63 an hour, so the minimum wage is 52% of the median wage. 10% of South Dakota workers earn less than $14.09 an hour and 25% less than $17.32 (BLS, May 2025, all 457,380 jobs). Source
The jobs with the lowest typical pay in South Dakota, among those with at least 1,000 workers:
| Job | Median hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $13.39 | 1,610 |
| Childcare Workers | $13.43 | 2,370 |
| Dishwashers | $13.56 | 1,240 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $13.83 | 1,040 |
| Waiters and Waitresses | $13.94 | 7,350 |
| Bartenders | $14.14 | 3,930 |
BLS figures are from May 2025, before some recent increases. Tipped jobs can show a median below the minimum wage where the law lets employers count tips toward it (see the tipped rules above).
Tax credits and rent on the minimum wage
A full-time minimum-wage worker earns $24,648 a year. At that income the 2026 Earned Income Tax Credit could be about:
| Qualifying children | Single or head of household | Married, one earner |
|---|---|---|
| 0 children | None | $166 |
| 1 child | $4,306 | $4,427 |
| 2 children | $7,156 | $7,316 |
| 3 children or more | $8,071 | $8,231 |
An estimate from the IRS 2026 amounts and phaseouts; the credit is paid when you file your return. Source
By the HUD guideline that housing should take no more than 30% of income, $24,648 a year covers rent and utilities up to about $616 a month; two minimum-wage earners up to $1,232. Source
South Dakota minimum wage questions
What is the minimum wage in South Dakota?
$11.85 an hour. It rises to $12.30 on Jan 1, 2027.
How much is the South Dakota minimum wage a year?
$24,648 a year at 40 hours a week for 52 weeks, or $2,054 a month, before taxes. After taxes a single filer keeps about $21,907.
How much is the South Dakota minimum wage after taxes?
About $842.59 every two weeks for a full-time single filer, after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare and South Dakota taxes.
Is South Dakota's minimum wage going up?
Yes. It rises to $12.30 an hour on Jan 1, 2027, adding $936 a year for a full-time worker.
What is time and a half at the South Dakota minimum wage?
$17.77 an hour for overtime hours.
States with a similar minimum wage
Michigan minimum wage ($13.73) · Virginia minimum wage ($12.77) · Nevada minimum wage ($12.00) · New Mexico minimum wage ($12.00) · Minnesota minimum wage ($11.41) · Arkansas minimum wage ($11.00) · Ohio minimum wage ($11.00) · Montana minimum wage ($10.85)
Related
South Dakota paycheck calculator · Minimum wage in every state · Minimum wage increases in 2027 · Hourly paycheck at $11.85
Rates checked Oct 25, 2026. Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.