Quick answer: The median roofer in South Dakota earns $22.94/hr — about $47,710 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2025), and the most experienced earn $59,000+. To hire one, a roofing company typically bills $50–$70 per hour — roughly 2–3× the worker's wage, to cover overhead and profit.
Here's the full picture: what roofers earn, what shops bill, what common jobs cost, how pay varies by metro, and how South Dakota compares to other states.
Roofer income in South Dakota (2025)
Based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for South Dakota's ~400 roofers:
| Experience level | Hourly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry-level (10th percentile) | $16.61 | ~$2,879 | ~$34,549 |
| Median (typical) | $22.94 | ~$3,976 | $47,710 |
| Experienced (90th percentile) | $28.46 | ~$4,933 | ~$59,197 |
Monthly and annual figures assume full-time work (about 2,080 hours a year).
What you earn vs. what you charge
The wages above are what a roofer takes home. What a roofing company bills the customer is higher — it has to cover the truck, tools, insurance, licensing, fuel, office time, and profit. A shop typically bills 2.2–3× the worker's wage:
| Rate | |
|---|---|
| Median roofer wage (earned) | ~$23/hr |
| Typical shop rate (charged) | $50–$70/hr |
Where South Dakota ranks
South Dakota pays roofers 14% below the national median, ranking 36th of 51 states — in the lower-middle nationally:
| Benchmark | Median hourly wage |
|---|---|
| Highest — Illinois | $37.45 |
| South Dakota (36th) | $22.94 |
| National median | $26.65 |
| Lowest — Oklahoma | $21.00 |
Roofer rates by South Dakota metro
Pay varies widely within the state. Median roofer wage by metro area (BLS, 2025):
| Metro area | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $23.50/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| West South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $22.94/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Rapid City | $22.36/hr | $50–$65/hr |
| East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $21.71/hr | $50–$65/hr |
What common roofing jobs cost in South Dakota
At South Dakota billed rates, here's what typical jobs run — labor plus materials, and every job differs:
| Job | Typical South Dakota range |
|---|---|
| Roof inspection | $75–$350 |
| Minor leak repair | $125–$525 |
| Replace missing shingles | $175–$600 |
| Flashing repair | $175–$525 |
| Gutter replacement | $700–$2,150 |
| Asphalt shingle roof replacement | $5,000–$13,000 installed |
| Metal roof installation | $8,500–$21,500 installed |
| Flat roof repair | $350–$1,300 |
| Roof ventilation install | $250–$775 |
| Skylight installation | $750–$2,150 |
Typical ranges to benchmark against — not quotes.
How roofers compare to other trades in South Dakota
Here's how roofer pay lines up against South Dakota's other skilled trades:
| Trade | Median wage | Typical billed rate |
|---|---|---|
| Electrician | $29.51/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| HVAC technician | $29.51/hr | $65–$90/hr |
| Plumber | $24.82/hr | $55–$75/hr |
| Carpenter | $23.14/hr | $50–$70/hr |
| Roofer | $22.94/hr | $50–$70/hr |
Setting your own rate
Use these as benchmarks, not rules — your rate has to cover your real overhead and the profit margin you need. See how to price a job to run the math, then build a quote with the free roofer estimate generator, or download BIG INVOICE to invoice from your phone with your rates saved.
Do roofers need a license in South Dakota?
Licensing requirements depend on the trade and where you work. See South Dakota contractor & trade licensing to check whether roofers need a state license in South Dakota, which board issues it, and how to apply.
Frequently asked questions
How much do roofers make in South Dakota?
The median roofer in South Dakota earns about $47,710 a year ($22.94/hr) per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025). Entry-level roofers earn around $35,000 and the most experienced earn $59,000 or more.
Can a roofer make $100,000 a year in South Dakota?
Rarely as an employee — the top 10% of roofers in South Dakota earn about $59,000 a year. The usual path past $100,000 is running your own roofing company and billing $50–$70/hr, where revenue — not just an hourly wage — is the ceiling.
How much do roofers charge per hour in South Dakota?
In 2025, most South Dakota roofers bill $50–$70 per hour. That billed rate covers the worker's wage (a $23/hr median) plus overhead and profit — it is not take-home pay.
Do roofers earn more in South Dakota than nationally?
South Dakota's median roofer wage is about 14% below the national median of $26.65/hr, ranking 36th of 51 states.
Which South Dakota city pays roofers the most?
Sioux Falls, SD-MN, at a $23.50/hr median wage, is among the highest-paying metros in the state for roofers.
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Billed rates and job-cost ranges are illustrative estimates (median wage × 2.2–3.0 overhead-and-profit markup), not quotes. Updated August 2026.