South Dakota employs 200 morticians as of BLS May 2025, with a median salary of $47,840 — 13% below the national median of $55,010.
Quick Facts
- Median salary: $47,840 (13% below national avg of $55,010)
- Mean salary: $55,200
- Salary range: $43,780 (P10) to $78,940 (P90)
- Employment: 200 jobs | Location Quotient: 2.72 — very high demand, more than double the national average
- Avg burial cost: $8,614 | Avg cremation: $6,689
- Cremation rate: 60% — 40% of families choose traditional burial
South Dakota Mortician Salary: Full Breakdown
| Percentile | South Dakota | National | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P10 (Entry) | $43,780 | $33,350 | +$10,430 |
| P25 | $46,180 | $42,430 | +$3,750 |
| Median (P50) | $47,840 | $55,010 | $-7,170 |
| Mean | $55,200 | $58,160 | $-2,960 |
| P75 | $61,390 | $72,010 | $-10,620 |
| P90 (Top) | $78,940 | $88,620 | $-9,680 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025
The gap between P10 ($43,780) and P90 ($78,940) is $35,160, showing a tighter salary range compared to the national spread.
Job Demand & Employment
The Location Quotient (LQ) is 2.72 — very high demand, more than double the national average. This means South Dakota has a higher concentration of mortician jobs per capita than the average state — a positive signal for job seekers.
With 200 employed morticians, South Dakota ranks as a smaller market, though job stability in funeral service tends to be high regardless of state size.
Funeral Industry Market
At 60% cremation, the market leans toward simpler services, but 40% of families still choose traditional burial — enough to sustain steady demand.
The average cost of a burial funeral in South Dakota is $8,614, while the average cremation service costs $6,689. These costs are near the national average.
Education & Schools
There are no ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs in South Dakota. Students must attend school in another state and return to complete state-specific licensing requirements.
Use the School Finder to compare all 58 ABFSE-accredited programs by tuition, debt, and outcomes.
Is South Dakota a Good State for Morticians?
South Dakota has strong demand but lower pay. The LQ of 2.72 indicates healthy job density, but the $47,840 median trails the national average.
Compare With Neighboring States
- Mortician Salary in North Dakota — $59,760 median
- Mortician Salary in Minnesota — $49,760 median
- Mortician Salary in Iowa — $63,700 median
- Mortician Salary in Nebraska — $64,310 median
States With Similar Salary Levels
- Mississippi — $48,350
- West Virginia — $47,960
- Oklahoma — $47,780
- Louisiana — $46,730
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do morticians make in South Dakota?
Morticians in South Dakota earn a median salary of $47,840 according to BLS May 2025 data. The typical salary range runs from $43,780 at the 10th percentile to $78,940 at the 90th percentile.
Is South Dakota a good state for morticians?
South Dakota has healthy job concentration, but pay is below the national median, so it may be better for job availability than earnings.
Are there mortuary schools in South Dakota?
South Dakota has no ABFSE-accredited mortuary science programs in the dataset, so students usually need to compare out-of-state options. Use the School Finder to compare tuition, debt, completion rates, and earnings outcomes.
Plan Your Career in South Dakota
- South Dakota Salary Calculator — see the full percentile breakdown prefilled for South Dakota
- Career ROI Calculator — calculate your return on investment working in South Dakota
- Best States Ranker — see where South Dakota ranks on salary, demand, and opportunity
- Market Opportunity Map — visualize demand and opportunity nationwide
- All State Salary Guides — compare all 49 states