What is the average HVAC technician salary in South Dakota?

The median HVAC technician salary in South Dakota is $50,100 per year based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians earn between $37,074 and $66,633 annually.

How does EPA 608 certification affect HVAC salary in South Dakota?

EPA 608 Universal certification adds approximately $3,500 per year to an HVAC technician's salary in South Dakota, bringing total annual earnings to around $53,600. NATE certification carries the largest premium — about $8,500/year — because fewer than 10% of techs hold it, pushing certified earnings to roughly $58,600.

What is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in South Dakota?

Controls and Building Management Systems (BMS) is the highest-paying HVAC specialization in South Dakota, with an estimated median of $66,132 per year — approximately 32% above the residential service baseline. Commercial HVAC and refrigeration roles also pay above average at +14% and +18% respectively.

How does South Dakota HVAC salary compare to the national average?

South Dakota HVAC technicians earn $50,100/year, which is $4,128 below the national median of $54,228 (-8%). South Dakota ranks #41 out of 51 states and territories.

South Dakota · HVAC Technician Salary

$50,100/year

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in South Dakota, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $37,074 at the 25th percentile to $66,633 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$37,074

Median

$50,100

75th Percentile

$66,633

National Rank

#41 of 51

Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$35,070	$17/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$44,088	$21/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this state	5–10 yrs	$50,100	$24/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$57,615	$28/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$64,128	$31/hr

Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the South Dakota median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.

Certification Pay Premium in South Dakota

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K

With cert: ~$53,600/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium

With cert: ~$58,600/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$54,300/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$52,100/yr

Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the South Dakota wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.

Salary by Specialization in South Dakota

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state	$50,100	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$57,114	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$59,118	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$66,132	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$47,094	-6%

How South Dakota Compares

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr · South Dakota ranks #41 of 51 states

-8% (-$4,128)

Missouri

Median: $50,200/yr

+$100

Tennessee

Median: $50,300/yr

+$200

Montana

Median: $49,800/yr

-$300

South Carolina

Median: $49,600/yr

-$500

Highest-paying states vs South Dakota

Illinois$72,100+$22,000

Washington$70,200+$20,100

Washington D.C.$68,700+$18,600

Massachusetts$68,400+$18,300

New York$66,900+$16,800

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Need to know licensing requirements in South Dakota?

EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.

License Guide

Compare with other states:

Missouri — $50,200 Tennessee — $50,300 Montana — $49,800 South Carolina — $49,600

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026