Insurance Agent Salary in South Dakota: $80,395 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median insurance agent pay sits at $80,395/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 41-3021. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $86,633 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Sioux Falls ($79,690), Rapid City ($76,500), Watertown ($55,573).
In 2026, the average median salary for insurance agents in South Dakota is projected to be $80,395, significantly higher than the national median of $64,522, reflecting a difference of +24.6%. The salary varies widely across the state, with Sioux Falls offering the highest average at $82,559, while Huron presents the lowest at $55,219. This salary gap of $27,340 can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for insurance services, and the concentration of businesses and individuals needing insurance in larger cities like Sioux Falls. To work as an insurance agent in South Dakota, individuals must meet state licensing requirements and adhere to specific scope of practice laws, which can impact job mobility and specialization. The state’s insurance sector is supported by a projected annual growth rate of 3.60%, an indicator of ongoing demand for insurance professionals. This growth is driven by factors such as population trends, economic stability, and an increasing awareness of the importance of insurance in personal and business planning. Currently, there are a total of 1,015 insurance agents employed in South Dakota, with notable salaries in various cities including Rapid City at $79,254, Watertown at $57,574, Yankton at $57,556, and Spearfish at $57,412.
South Dakota Insurance Agent Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $33,645 (lowest entry-level) to $138,389 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota insurance agents earn 24.60% more than the national median (+$15,873/year difference).
South Dakota Insurance Agent Salary Distribution (2026)
Insurance Agent salaries in South Dakota range from $53,236 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $132,736 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $80,395. The South Dakota median is $15,873 above the US national median of $64,522. The average hourly rate is $38.65/hr. Approximately 1,015 insurance agents are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,416
2025 BLS Actual
$77,601
2026 Current Est.
$80,395
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Insurance Agents in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.60% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,416 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,372 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,763 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,098 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,259 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,795 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,601 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,395 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,289 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median insurance agent salary grew 26.4% from $61,416 (2019) to $77,601 (2025). At a 3.60% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,289 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,873 (35.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.60% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $55,219 |
| Vermillion | $55,305 |
| Brookings | $55,318 |
| Pierre | $56,255 |
| Aberdeen | $56,902 |
Best Value Cities for Insurance Agents in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for insurance agents.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $82,559 | 90.631 | $91,094 |
| Rapid City | $79,254 | 89.16 | $88,890 |
| Watertown | $57,574 | 92.8 | $62,041 |
| Yankton | $57,556 | 92.8 | $62,022 |
| Spearfish | $57,412 | 92.8 | $61,866 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $53,236 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $80,395 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $132,736 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $82,559 |
| 2 | Rapid City | $79,254 |
| 3 | Watertown | $57,574 |
| 4 | Yankton | $57,556 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $57,412 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $56,998 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $56,902 |
| 8 | Pierre | $56,255 |
| 9 | Brookings | $55,318 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $55,305 |
| 11 | Huron | $55,219 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore insurance agent hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced insurance agents.
Explore More Insurance Agent Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do insurance agents make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for insurance agents in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota insurance agent pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level insurance agent salary in South Dakota?
How many insurance agents are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for insurance agents?
Written by Jordan Lee, MBA
Career Analyst
Jordan has over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry. He specializes in property and casualty insurance. He has worked in both agency and corporate settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.60% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 insurance agent compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more insurance agentscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.60%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for insurance agents (SOC 41-3021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, MBA, a licensed insurance agent with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov