Plumber in South Dakota
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for SD
How to Become a Plumber in South Dakota
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in South Dakota, you must complete a registered apprenticeship program with 7,600 hours of experience over four years and be at least 18 years old. After meeting the experience requirements, you must pass the South Dakota Plumber Examination and pay the associated application and exam fees. Licenses must be renewed annually and require 4 hours of continuing education each cycle. South Dakota offers reciprocity with Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana, Colorado, and Iowa.
Plumber Requirements in South Dakota
| Detail | South Dakota |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | South Dakota State Plumbing Commission |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | Completion of a registered apprenticeship program. |
| Experience Required | 7,600.0 hours |
| Exam | South Dakota Plumber Examination ($100) |
| Application Fee | $105 |
| Renewal | Every 1.0 year |
| Continuing Education | 4.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Minimum age of 18 years old. Journeyman Plumber requires 4 years of experience (7,600 hours) as an apprentice. Plumbing Contractor requires 6 years of experience, with at least 2 of those years as a licensed Journeyman Plumber. Credit for military plumbing is given at the rate of one year credit for each two years in the military up to a maximum of five years of credit. A high school diploma or GED is also typically required. |
License Tiers
South Dakota offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Plumber | 7,600 |
| Contractor | 11,400 |
Plumber Salary in South Dakota
The median plumber salary in South Dakota is $50,790 per year, which is 19.3% below the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $39,080 |
| 25th | $44,410 |
| 50th (median) | $50,790 |
| 75th | $63,260 |
| 90th (experienced) | $75,290 |
South Dakota employs approximately 1,800 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in South Dakota Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $350 and a median salary of $50,790 in South Dakota, the rough payback period is approximately 0 months.
Factors to consider: South Dakota's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.