South Dakota Minimum Wage 2026
Current minimum wage, scheduled increases, tipped worker rules, and political context for South Dakota’s wage policy in 2026.
$11.20
Current Minimum Wage
$11.50 (est.)
Projected 2026 Rate
No separate rate (80% of minimum)
Tipped Worker Rate
CPI-indexed
Scheduled Increases
Minimum Wage Overview
South Dakota voters passed Measure 18 in 2014 to raise the minimum wage to $8.50 with CPI indexing. The 2014 vote was 53-47%. Despite being a Republican state, voters have used ballot initiatives to raise wages. The legislature initially tried to carve out a lower teen wage but this was overturned.
Wage Policy Details
| Policy | Details |
|---|---|
| Current Minimum Wage | $11.20/hour |
| Tipped Worker Minimum | No separate rate (80% of minimum)/hour |
| Scheduled Increases | CPI-indexed |
| Projected 2026 Rate | $11.50 (est.)/hour |
| Legislative Source | Measure 18 (2014) + CPI |
| Passed by Ballot Initiative | 2014 |
Political Context
South Dakota minimum wage history shows recurring tension between voter-approved increases and Republican legislative resistance. The legislature created a lower teenage minimum which voters then overturned in 2016. Ballot initiative power has been crucial for minimum wage policy.