Workers Comp Cost in South Dakota
2026 rates — mandatory for most South Dakota employers
Calculate Your South Dakota Workers Comp Cost
Workers Comp Rates by Industry — South Dakota 2026
| Industry Class | Risk Level | Rate / $100 payroll |
|---|---|---|
| Clerical / Office (8810) | Very Low | $0.20 – $0.45 |
| Retail / Wholesale (8017–8018) | Low | $0.80 – $2.00 |
| Restaurant / Food Service (9082) | Moderate | $1.50 – $3.50 |
| Light Manufacturing (3632) | Moderate | $2.00 – $5.00 |
| Trucking / Delivery (7219–7231) | High | $4.00 – $8.00 |
| Construction / Carpentry (5645) | High | $5.00 – $12.00 |
| Roofing (5551) | Very High | $8.00 – $18.00 |
Rates are advisory/illustrative. Actual South Dakota rates vary by carrier, your specific class codes, and Experience Mod.
Workers Comp in South Dakota — Key Facts
1. South Dakota Requirement & Market
Mandatory: YES — required for employers in South Dakota (check specific employee count thresholds)
Market: Private market (NCCI rates)
South Dakota uses NCCI (National Council on Compensation Insurance) for class code rate guidance. Workers' comp costs in South Dakota are below the national average. Compare multiple carriers for the best rates — differences of 20–40% for the same class code are common.
2. Top Cost Tips for South Dakota
South Dakota employers: (1) verify your class codes are correctly assigned — misclassification is common and can significantly inflate premiums; (2) implement a documented safety program — this qualifies for premium credits with many carriers; (3) pay-as-you-go workers' comp eliminates large audit surprises.
Compare Workers Comp Quotes in South Dakota
Rates vary 20–40% between carriers for identical coverage. Compare before your next renewal.
South Dakota Workers Comp Summary
- →Avg rate: $1.27 per $100 payroll
- →$500K payroll: ~$6,375/yr avg risk
- →Cost vs national: below average
- →Mandatory: Yes