Even though South Dakota is one of the country’s most sparsely populated states, it has plenty of opportunities for remote work. Use these South Dakota Remote Work Resources to find out what it’s like to live and work remotely in the Mount Rushmore State.
About South Dakota
Home to just under 885,000 people, South Dakota isn’t known for sprawling cities and suburbs. But what it lacks in cosmopolitan amenities, the state more than makes up for with scenic beauty, quaint towns, and strange roadside attractions. With the eponymous waterfalls running through the center of the city, Sioux Falls is the largest city, as well as the cultural and economic epicenter of the state. Although Sioux Falls is the only city with more than 100,000 people, other cities such as Rapid City, Aberdeen, and Brookings provide modern living interspersed with chain stores and local businesses.
But South Dakota’s charm isn’t always found in its major population centers. In the western half of the state, visitors can enjoy the intricate carvings of Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Memorial, as well as the Martian-like landscape of Badlands National Park. The City of Deadwood is a famed tourist destination, packed with casinos and the final resting place of Wild Bill Hickock and Calamity Jane. To attract visitors, South Dakota is also home to the kitschy Wall Drug and the famed Corn Palace in Mitchell. South Dakota also employs an 80 mph speed limit, allowing you to travel around with ease and a bit of a lead foot. Throw in a trip to the famed Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, South Dakota truly is an eclectic destination.
““You can only look forward to a South Dakota winter if, as with childbirth, remodeling a house, or writing a novel, you’re able to forget how bad it was the last time.” – Dan O’Brien, award-winning author
Five Fast Facts About Working in South Dakota
According to a ZipRecruiter study, Sioux Falls is the 3rd-best city for jobs in 2020.
The U.S. News & World Report ranked South Dakota the 20th-best state to live and work, citing superb fiscal stability, natural beauty, and infrastructure as its greatest attributes.
South Dakota suffers from “brain drain” at a higher incidence than other states, as many of the most-educated people end up move to other states by age 40.
As of May 2020, South Dakota’s unemployment rate is 9.4%, far lower than the national average of 13.3%.
The minimum wage of South Dakota is $9.30 per hour for non-tipped employees and $4.65 an hour for tipped employees.
South Dakota Mean Wages
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage in South Dakota is $42,290, or the equivalent of $20.63 per hour. Sioux Falls had the highest income, with residents earning an average of $45,900 per year or $22.07 annually. Agriculture, tourism, mining, manufacturing, and gambling are the state’s top five industries.
Remote Work Incentives in South Dakota
Although South Dakota offers no incentive programs for remote workers, the state government has started to allow the practice. As a result, the state may allow its employees to work from home on a case-by-case basis. The length and terms of these agreements vary based on position, seniority, and necessity.
For remote workers looking to start a business, South Dakota has some of the most generous programs in the country. The South Dakota WORKS program offers loans of up to $1 million for qualified projects, while the MicroLOAN program provides up to $100,000 of financing with a 3% interest rate. Adding to the allure of South Dakota as a business destination, the state has no corporate income tax, personal income tax, personal property tax, or business inventory tax. Combined with an already low cost of living, South Dakota is an ideal place for entrepreneurs searching for remote work and affordable living.
Remote-Enabled Companies with Hubs in South Dakota
Despite South Dakota’s low population, the state still lures in companies with its tax breaks and low overhead costs. In some cases, these local, regional, and national companies hire virtual workers to attract top talent from around the country. If you’re searching for a telecommuting job, here are some of the top remote-enable companies with headquarters or hubs in South Dakota.
Daktronics
Located in Brookings, Daktronics is a global leader and manufacturer of digital lighting displays. Since 1968, the organization has made digital displays for the Globe Life Park (Texas Rangers stadium), Piccadilly Circus in London, and Times Square in New York City.
Five Star Call Centers
Headquartered in 1986, Five Star Call Centers is a Sioux Falls-based call center outsourcing center. In addition to remote call centers, the company also provides email and chat solutions, call center consulting, interactive voice response, and business continuity services.
GPAC
GPAC, or Growing People and Companies, is a Sioux Falls-based business that provides recruiting and staffing services. Since 1990, this company has placed top talent in banking, mortgages, accounting, and financial services.
Highland Property Management
Founded in Missoula, Montana, in 2003, Highland Property Management is a real estate services company that manages apartments, condos, and duplexes. The company is a firm believer in affordable housing and mostly manages properties for students and seniors.
Medica
Medica is a healthcare services provider based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. However, the company has over 1.7 million clients across nine Midwestern states, making the company one of the biggest employers in South Dakota.
Sanford Health
Headquartered in Sioux Falls, Sanford Health is a leader in the healthcare industry in South Dakota, employing 1,400 physicians across 44 hospitals. With over 11,000 employees, Sanford Health is one of the largest employers in South Dakota.
Surgical Management Professionals, LLC
Based in Sioux Falls, Surgical Management Professionals, LLC provides business management services to physicians, hospitals, and surgery centers. These services include medical coding, billing services, consulting, accounting, and revenue cycle solutions.
VistaComm
Founded in 1997, VistaComm is one of the top marketing agencies in the state, and one of the only agencies that specializes in agricultural marketing and journalism. Currently, the company has clients in 20 states from coast to coast.
South Dakota Coworking Centers for Remote Work
Also known as coworking spaces, coworking centers are workspaces that allow remote workers to remain productive and network outside of their home or a coffee house. For a monthly membership fee, these centers provide an office or desk space, networking events, seminars, and high-speed internet. Some also offer free beer, coffee, and even gym memberships. Whether you work better in an office setting or you just need to get out of the house, check out these South Dakota coworking centers for remote workers.
You’ll find even more South Dakota remote work resources and stats in our infographic below! You may also view the South Dakota Remote Work Resources Infographic as a PDF, which will allow you to access the URLs hyperlinked throughout the image as well as the links attached to the Virtual Vocations logo and social media icons.
How Virtual Vocations Can Assist in Your South Dakota Remote Job Search
While South Dakota’s economy may lag behind some of the country’s more populated areas, the Mount Rushmore State has more than enough opportunities to excel professionally as a remote worker. All you need to do now is to partner with Virtual Vocations. With a job board full of remote, vetted listings, career and employment services, and access to the telecommute toolkit, a Virtual Vocations membership is just what you need to start your remote career in South Dakota.
Are you searching for a South Dakota remote job, or are you a current remote worker in South Dakota? Share your story when you connect with Virtual Vocations on Facebook and Twitter. We’d love to know your thoughts about our South Dakota remote work resources!
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