South Dakota ranks 50th of 51 states and D.C. for software developers pay, trailing top-paying California ($170,910) by $83,140 — a 95% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $59,510 to $130,610 — a $71,100 spread, 46% tighter than the national $131,600 range.
Software Developers are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.45 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 2.22× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $59,510 | $28.61 |
| 25th percentile | $76,540 | $36.80 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $87,770 | $42.20 |
| 75th percentile | $104,880 | $50.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $130,610 | $62.79 |
| Mean (average) | $93,390 | $44.90 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $87,770 | n/a |
| California | $170,910 | +95% |
| Washington | $166,910 | +90% |
| New York | $161,260 | +84% |
| Massachusetts | $150,520 | +71% |
| Maryland | $137,890 | +57% |
| District of Columbia | $136,040 | +55% |
| Oregon | $135,260 | +54% |
| Delaware | $135,160 | +54% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapists | $89,240 | 940 |
| Surveyors | $86,260 | 170 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $89,320 | 140 |
| Industrial Engineers | $89,450 | 770 |
| Database Administrators | $85,890 | 150 |
| Clinical and Counseling Psychologists | $85,790 | 100 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Software Developers salary in South Dakota?
The mean software developers salary in South Dakota is $93,390 per year. The median (middle) salary is $87,770 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Software Developers in South Dakota?
Entry-level software developerss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $59,510 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $76,540 per year.
What is the highest Software Developers salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $130,610 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $104,880 per year.
How does the South Dakota Software Developers salary compare to the national average?
The median software developers salary in South Dakota is $87,770, which is -34% below national average of $133,080.