South Dakota
Diesel Mechanic pay in South Dakota
What diesel mechanics earn in South Dakota: BLS OEWS May 2025 pay for the state and 3 metro areas, plus job counts and 4 listed training programs.
- $59,480Average pay (state)
- $45,500Entry-level / bottom 10%
- $58,120Median pay (state)
- $78,810Top 10% earn over
1,340 jobs in South Dakota · 4 listed programs. Average pay across all experience levels (BLS OEWS May 2025).
Cities with listed programs
BLS wage data
Diesel Mechanic pay in South Dakota
Annual wages from the BLS OEWS May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15.
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $45,500 | $49,570 | $58,120 | $65,200 | $78,810 | $59,480 | 1,340 |
| United States | $44,530 | $50,540 | $61,770 | $75,470 | $88,740 | $64,320 | 289,960 |
Metro areas
| Area | 10th pct | 25th pct | Median | 75th pct | 90th pct | Mean | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $48,980 | $57,550 | $62,700 | $71,950 | $78,800 | $64,580 | 160 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $46,800 | $49,130 | $61,700 | $72,830 | $81,120 | $61,970 | 620 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,290 | $50,130 | $60,600 | $72,850 | $82,860 | $62,000 | 180 |
Programs
Listed programs in South Dakota
Every diesel mechanic program we matched in South Dakota. Schools with published tuition are listed first.
| Program / provider | Location | Type | Graduates 2023-24 | Tuition | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Area Technical College Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Watertown, SD | Associate degree | 92 | $7,622 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| Southeast Technical College Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Sioux Falls, SD | Associate degree | 10 | $8,365 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| Southeast Technical College Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Sioux Falls, SD | Certificate (2-4 years) | 0 | $8,365 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
| Western Dakota Technical College Diesel Mechanics Technology/Technician | Rapid City, SD | Associate degree | 12 | $8,526 Annual tuition & fees, in-state to out-of-state (institution-wide) | IPEDS 2023-24 · CIP 47.0605 |
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Related resources
Keep researching
Verified CDL schools, if you also want to driveMany fleet and diesel shop jobs prefer a CDL; compare FMCSA-registered training. · VerifiedCDLSchools.comGI Bill-approved diesel mechanic programsSchools that accept VA education benefits. · VeteranTradeSchools.comAutomotive and diesel apprenticeshipsThe apprenticeship route and sponsors. · RegisteredTradeSchools.com
Sources
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates, released 2026-05-15 (news release USDL-26-0725; data tables). Cross-checked against the BLS Public Data API on 2026-11-03.
- Occupation: O*NET OnLine, 49-3031.00 Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists, retrieved 2026-11-03 (CC BY 4.0).
- Apprenticeship sponsors: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship: partner sponsors file, retrieved 2026-10-29 (Partner Finder).
- Schools & graduates: U.S. Department of Education, NCES IPEDS Completions 2023-24 (C2024_A) and Institutional Characteristics (HD2024), award year 2023-24, matched by 6-digit CIP code (completions file; CIP-SOC crosswalk).
- Tuition: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard (Most Recent Cohorts: Institution + Field of Study), data updated 2026-10-15, matched by IPEDS unit ID (source).
Program listings are matched from public files by occupation code or organization name; they are not endorsements and we have not visited or tested any program. Confirm schedules, entry requirements and costs with the program. Compiled by the HighPayingTrades team; last refreshed 2026-11-03.