{"schema_version": 1, "id": "sd-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-09", "product": "Metro Job Market Pulse", "metro": {"geography_id": 447, "label": "SD NONMETROPOLITAN AREA", "slug": "sd-nonmetropolitan-area"}, "focus_area": {"key": "general_conditions", "slug": "metro-job-market", "label": "General Market Conditions"}, "period": "2026-09", "public_after": "2026-09-01", "frozen_at": "2026-10-09T13:42:50.332652+00:00", "headline": "Nonmetro South Dakota's tight labor market hides a shrinking workforce.", "headline_summary": "Nonmetro labor force participation fell to 66.5%, a 1.7-point annual drop outpacing the national decline, even as unemployment held near 2.0% and construction added 800 jobs statewide.", "key_indicators": [{"label": "SD labor force participation", "value": "66.5%", "context": "Down from 66.8%, -1.7 pts year over year"}, {"label": "SD unemployment rate", "value": "2.0%", "context": "vs 4.1% national rate, August 2026"}, {"label": "Nonmetro weekly wage", "value": "$1,070", "context": "Down 0.9% year over year statewide"}, {"label": "Construction job growth", "value": "+800 jobs", "context": "2.4% monthly gain, August 2026"}], "takeaways": [{"headline": "Low unemployment is masking a shrinking labor pool.", "body": "Nonmetro South Dakota's labor force participation fell 1.7 points year over year to 66.5%, more than three times the national decline of 0.5 points. That gap suggests the region's tight labor market reflects fewer available workers, not stronger hiring demand."}, {"headline": "Construction is the one bright spot in an otherwise flat payroll picture.", "body": "Statewide construction added 800 jobs in August, a 2.4% monthly gain led by specialty trade contractors, even as total nonfarm payrolls grew in only 4 of the past 12 months. That divergence points to localized building activity rather than broad-based economic expansion."}, {"headline": "Nonmetro wages are losing ground against both inflation and the state average.", "body": "Average weekly wages fell 0.9% year over year statewide to $1,070, and all 65 nonmetro counties sit below the national wage average. Combined with national real wages turning negative, nonmetro workers face a widening purchasing-power gap that bears on local consumer spending projections."}, {"headline": "Seasonal government payroll swings complicate the public-stability narrative.", "body": "Local government shed 6,100 workers and local education dropped 5,800 jobs in August, a typical seasonal pattern but one that still removes meaningful payroll income from nonmetro communities for several weeks. Economists tracking public-sector stability should treat August/September swings as seasonal noise, not trend."}], "local_conditions": "South Dakota's nonmetro counties remain defined by a structural paradox: unemployment near 2.0% alongside a labor force participation rate falling 1.7 percentage points year over year to 66.5%, a contraction outpacing the national decline by more than three times. Statewide wage data show average weekly pay down 0.9% year over year to $1,070, while nonmetro counties specifically sit below the national wage average across all 65 smaller counties, suggesting tight labor supply is not translating into broad wage pressure outside a handful of sectors like construction and skilled trades.", "implications": "Shrinking labor force participation alongside flat or declining nonmetro wages points to a workforce availability constraint rather than weak demand \u2014 a distinction that matters for anyone evaluating whether to expand operations, relocate facilities, or lobby for workforce development investment in these counties. Commerce leaders weighing local expansion should treat low unemployment as a caution signal on labor supply, not a green light, while government economists may want to examine whether participation declines reflect demographic outmigration or discouraged-worker dynamics. Consider reviewing county-level workforce participation trends alongside any expansion or siting decision, since headline unemployment figures alone may understate how difficult labor supply conditions actually are outside Sioux Falls and Rapid City.", "looking_ahead": [{"category": "Expected", "body": "South Dakota's 2027 minimum wage rate, tied to August-to-August CPI, publishes by October 15 and will set a new wage floor across nonmetro retail, hospitality, and service employers."}, {"category": "Early indicator", "body": "September state labor data releases October 20 via BLS; watch whether the labor force participation decline deepens or stabilizes, since a continued slide would strengthen the case that nonmetro counties face a structural workforce supply problem rather than a cyclical one."}, {"category": "Worth watching", "body": "Construction's August gain is worth tracking into Q4 to see whether it reflects sustained project activity or a seasonal building push ahead of winter, which would materially change the read on nonmetro economic momentum."}, {"category": "Policy-relevant signal", "body": "Federal tariff and immigration enforcement developments continue to surface in national WARN and labor data; nonmetro South Dakota's agriculture- and manufacturing-adjacent economy warrants neutral monitoring of any local pass-through effects as they emerge."}], "roles": [{"role": "Retail Sales Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 24672.0, "metro_p50": 28824.0, "metro_p75": 33280.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33325.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Retail Cashier", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 25370.0, "metro_p50": 29866.0, "metro_p75": 31876.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 31200.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Warehouse/Fulfillment Associate", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 32275.0, "metro_p50": 37440.0, "metro_p75": 39765.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 38000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "CDL Truck Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 57235.0, "metro_p50": 78070.0, "metro_p75": 88012.25, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 78000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Delivery Driver", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 28691.0, "metro_p50": 31927.0, "metro_p75": 34188.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 34344.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Construction Laborer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33217.0, "metro_p50": 37982.0, "metro_p75": 41600.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 40560.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Electrician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 53174.0, "metro_p50": 66112.0, "metro_p75": 73392.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 71404.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Manufacturing Production Worker/Assembler", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 33766.5, "metro_p50": 39520.0, "metro_p75": 45240.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Customer Service Representative", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 31200.0, "metro_p50": 35360.0, "metro_p75": 37856.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 39520.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Food Service Worker", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 29304.0, "metro_p50": 34638.0, "metro_p75": 40560.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 33756.2, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Certified Nursing Assistant / Home Health Aide", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35477.0, "metro_p50": 38208.0, "metro_p75": 41881.25, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 41106.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Administrative Assistant/Office Clerk", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 34762.25, "metro_p50": 39629.0, "metro_p75": 42640.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 43680.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "HVAC Technician", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 56160.0, "metro_p50": 65864.6, "metro_p75": 72262.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 70720.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Registered Nurse", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 73087.0, "metro_p50": 84718.0, "metro_p75": 92851.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 102581.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Software Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 104676.0, "metro_p50": 140052.0, "metro_p75": 157278.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 153652.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Data Engineer", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 103384.0, "metro_p50": 123515.0, "metro_p75": 142967.0, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 139500.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Accountant", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 53298.0, "metro_p50": 64313.0, "metro_p75": 70244.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 72182.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Financial Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 74452.0, "metro_p50": 90031.2, "metro_p75": 104536.25, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "national_p50": 94782.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "HR Generalist/Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 55036.5, "metro_p50": 67500.0, "metro_p75": 74258.5, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Marketing Specialist", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 45376.75, "metro_p50": 73145.0, "metro_p75": 81644.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 62354.4, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"role": "Operations Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 50648.0, "metro_p50": 50648.0, "metro_p75": 50648.0, "metro_trend_direction": "down", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 85216.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Elementary/Secondary School Teacher", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 35360.0, "metro_p50": 54735.0, "metro_p75": 61722.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 56731.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Account Manager", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 70270.0, "metro_p50": 88040.0, "metro_p75": 94295.0, "metro_trend_direction": "up", "metro_trend_magnitude": "significant", "national_p50": 92749.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"role": "Warehouse Manager", "data_scope": "state_rollup", "metro_p25": 76250.0, "metro_p50": 93250.0, "metro_p75": 97500.0, "metro_trend_direction": null, "metro_trend_magnitude": null, "national_p50": 75000.0, "national_trend_direction": "stable", "national_trend_magnitude": "stable"}, {"role": "Business Analyst", "data_scope": "metro", "metro_p25": 74817.5, "metro_p50": 87763.0, "metro_p75": 94117.5, "metro_trend_direction": "stable", "metro_trend_magnitude": "stable", "national_p50": 98279.0, "national_trend_direction": "up", "national_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}], "industry_snapshot": [{"sector": "Construction", "median_pay": 57387.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Manufacturing", "median_pay": 88355.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Retail Trade", "median_pay": 44720.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Transportation, Warehousing & Utilities", "median_pay": 58054.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Information", "median_pay": 135565.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Financial Activities", "median_pay": 67237.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "moderate", "postings_trend_direction": "up", "postings_trend_magnitude": "moderate"}, {"sector": "Professional & Business Services", "median_pay": 75949.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Education & Health Services", "median_pay": 65747.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Leisure & Hospitality", "median_pay": 33566.5, "pay_trend_direction": "stable", "pay_trend_magnitude": "stable", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}, {"sector": "Government", "median_pay": 61606.0, "pay_trend_direction": "up", "pay_trend_magnitude": "significant", "postings_trend_direction": "down", "postings_trend_magnitude": "significant"}], "citations": [], "methodology": "Advertised pay from active employer job postings, not survey data. WageScape's median is calibrated to correct for spurious low-value postings: distribution analysis shows roughly the lowest 10% of raw values are erroneous entries, so the reported median is the 60th percentile of raw advertised pay.", "edition_label": "October 2026", "files": {"html": "sd-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "pdf": "sd-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf", "sources_html": "sd-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-09.sources.html"}, "published_at": "2026-10-09T14:36:17.080698+00:00", "report_html_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/sd-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-09.html", "report_pdf_url": "https://reports.wagescape.com/archive/v1/editions/sd-nonmetropolitan-area/metro-job-market/2026-09.pdf"}