Bookkeeper salary and cost of hiring in South Dakota
The median bookkeeper in South Dakota earned $46,340 a year in May 2025[1], 8.5% below the US median of $50,670. That puts South Dakota at #45 of 51 states for this job.
BLS occupation 43-3031. Data from the May 2025 release, checked 2026-10-15.
Salary range
| Range | 10th | Median | 90th | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $35,730 | $46,340 | $59,140 | |
| United States | $36,000 | $50,670 | $74,550 |
The middle half of bookkeepers in South Dakota earns $39,370–$52,000; the top tenth earns $59,140 or more, 1.7 times the bottom tenth.
What a hire really costs
Benefits and payroll taxes are 30.0% of total compensation in US private industry[2]. At the South Dakota median that makes about $66,200 a year before recruiting, equipment and office space. Benefit levels vary by employer, so treat this as an estimate.
We place executive assistants, customer support and e-commerce staff today; for bookkeepers we answer within one business day whether we can help. Enter the monthly pay you have in mind to compare it with a local hire. The fee field shows our standard fee[3]; Deel's contractor plan is the default payroll tool[4].
Pay by metro area in South Dakota
| Area | Median | 75th percentile | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $53,260 | 3,390 | |
| Rapid City, SD | $52,910 | 1,720 | |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $51,420 | 1,540 | |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $50,340 | 3,300 |
Sioux Falls, SD-MN pays the most ($46,910) and East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area the least ($45,140): $1,770 a year apart for the same job.
What a bookkeeper does
A bookkeeper records the company's transactions, reconciles bank accounts, keeps receivables and payables in order and prepares the books for the accountant.
Neighbours in the ranking
Questions
How much does a bookkeeper earn in South Dakota?
The median was $46,340 a year in the May 2025 BLS survey; the middle half earned $39,370 to $52,000.
What does it cost to employ a bookkeeper in South Dakota?
About $66,200 a year at the median wage once benefits are added, using the 30% benefits share of US private industry (June 2026).
Where in South Dakota do bookkeepers earn the most?
Sioux Falls, SD-MN, with a median of $46,910 a year.
Sources
- BLS OEWS May 2025, 43-3031: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes433031.htm
- BLS Employer Costs for Employee Compensation, private industry, June 2026: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/ecec.nr0.htm
- Silkstaff pricing: https://silkstaff.com/#pricing
- Deel pricing, contractor management: https://www.deel.com/pricing/
How these pages are built: methodology and data sources. Last updated 2026-11-05.