Solid preparation is key when starting a carpentry career in South Dakota. Thanks to minimal interference and well-laid-out guidelines, the process to enter this profession is very straightforward.
However, candidates must still understand these guidelines as early as possible. This will give them an edge when making crucial decisions and allow them to deal with possible challenges calmly and collectedly.
For this reason, we discuss extensively below all of the requirements involved in becoming a carpenter in South Dakota. We examine the preparatory requirements, licensing and specification procedure, top programs, and annual average salary projections, among other things.
How to Become a Carpenter in South Dakota
The following steps are needed to become a thriving carpenter in South Dakota.
Training Options
The following are the most popular routes to enter the carpentry discipline as a resident of South Dakota.
- Apprenticeship Programs—Apprenticeship programs offer candidates the opportunity to learn directly in a work environment. Candidates are sometimes able to learn under the supervision of qualified personnel without paying tuition.
Apprentices are also sometimes paid on the job. Trade unions and professional organizations provide some apprenticeship programs, while companies offer others.
- Academic Destinations - Candidates can also receive carpentry education in a classroom through community colleges and technical schools. A fast-tracked program can lead to a certificate, while a longer construction trades program can lead to an associate degree.
This higher-level qualification not only demonstrates advanced knowledge and technical proficiency but may also open doors to supervisory roles or further educational opportunities in construction management or related fields.
Professional Skills & Attributes
Through training programs, candidates can earn valuable credentials that significantly enhance their appeal to potential employers. They can also develop professional skills like communication, interpersonal, and marketing skills, which are absolutely valuable for any trade professional looking to become a contractor.
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Licensure & Certification Requirements
Licensing is not compulsory for carpenters in South Dakota, at least not usually at the state level. Many professionals don’t work as independent contractors but under licensed contractors.
In this case, they don’t need to register with the state or complete a licensing process to get started.
However, when they want to become contractors, they may need to apply for permits from the local jurisdiction (city or county) where they plan to start working.
Additionally, carpenters operating as contractors in South Dakota usually need to register a business, obtain an excise tax license, and obtain liability insurance.
Top Carpentry Schools in South Dakota
The following are the best places to study as a prospective carpenter in the state of South Dakota.
Southeast Technical College
Sioux Falls, SD Campus Only
Southeast Technical College provides a Construction Management Technology program that prepares students for supervisory roles such as project managers or general contractors in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.
Email: Matthew.Haynes@southeasttech.edu
Tuition
$178 per CreditContact
(605) 367-5683
Email in Bio
Lake Area Technical College
Watertown, SD Campus Only
Lake Area Technical College offers an 18-month Building Trades Technology program that equips students with practical skills and career readiness for the construction industry.
Tuition
$9,370 - $13,511 per YearContact
(605) 882-5284
kevin.theisen@lakeareatech.edu
Mitchell Tech
Mitchell, SD Campus Only
Mitchell Tech delivers a carpentry program that emphasizes both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience. Students start by learning core concepts in the classroom before moving on to practical sessions where they apply their knowledge using real tools and construction environments.
Tuition
$18,214 per ProgramContact
(605) 995-3025
questions@mitchelltech.edu
Explore carpentry schools in South Dakota by city:
Salary & Career Outlook
The most common annual average salary for a carpenter in South Dakota is around $59,737. This figure pertains most to the median earners and is also in line with the national average.
For carpenters in the state who are among the top 10%, this figure can climb as high as $79,171 or * * more. Those who are among the bottom 10% still manage to end the year with a salary of around $45,074.
A carpenter in the state can improve their earnings by working on their experience, credentials, work environment, business approach, and specialty area. Currently, carpentry is where carpenters make the most in South Dakota, with an annual average salary of $70,327.
Next are those who work in Spearfish and Sioux Falls, with an annual average salary of $66,494 and $60,922, respectively.