Openings
20
Dec 2025
South Dakota Labor Market
JOLTS data — latest: Dec 2025
Labor Market Insight: South Dakota — Dec 2025
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS), PlainLabor tracks monthly state-level data on job openings, hires, total separations, quits, and layoffs across all 51 state jurisdictions. The JOLTS program surveys approximately 21,000 nonfarm business establishments nationwide on the last business day of each month, providing the most timely state-level signal of labor market tightness, worker confidence, and demand-supply dynamics.
The fill ratio (hires/openings), quits-to-layoffs ratio, and year-over-year openings trend together compose the BLS-recommended three-dimensional read on state labor markets: tightness via the fill ratio, worker confidence via quits-dominance, and demand trajectory via YoY change. See our methodology for BLS JOLTS sampling methodology, seasonal-adjustment notes, and refresh cadence.
South Dakota recorded 20 job openings, 17 hires, and 24 separations in Dec 2025 (openings rate 4.1%, hires rate 3.6%, 85% fill ratio).
Turnover breakdown: 18 quits (3.8%) vs 5 layoffs. Quits dominate 2:1+ — workers confident enough to leave for better roles. YoY openings contracted 9.1%.
20
Job Openings
17
Hires
18
Quits
5
Layoffs
South Dakota Labor Market Overview
As of Dec 2025, South Dakota reported 20 job openings and 17 hires, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS survey. Employers filled roughly 85% of available positions during this period.
Voluntary quits reached 18 (3.8% rate), exceeding the 5 layoffs and discharges. When quits exceed layoffs, it typically signals worker confidence — employees feel secure enough to leave for better opportunities.
Compared to a year ago, job openings in South Dakota declined by 9.1%, suggesting relatively stable labor conditions.
South Dakota reference wage distribution
Estimated wage profile for a bachelor-entry occupation in South Dakota, anchored on the BLS OEWS national mean and adjusted for the state's labor-tightness signal (4.1% openings rate). Use the percentile lookup tool for a precise position.
Hires
17
Dec 2025
Quits rate
3.8%
Voluntary turnover
Layoffs rate
—
Involuntary turnover
Monthly Trends
Openings Hires
Jan 2019 Dec 2025
Other State Labor Markets
Frequently Asked Questions
How many job openings are there in South Dakota? ▼
South Dakota had 20 job openings as of Dec 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
How many people were hired in South Dakota recently? ▼
South Dakota recorded 17 hires in Dec 2025, based on Bureau of Labor Statistics JOLTS survey data. Hires represent all additions to the payroll during the reference month.
What is the quits rate in South Dakota? ▼
18 workers voluntarily quit their jobs in South Dakota during Dec 2025. The quits rate was 3.8%. A higher quits rate generally indicates worker confidence — employees leave when they believe better opportunities are available.
How many layoffs happened in South Dakota? ▼
There were 5 layoffs and discharges in South Dakota during Dec 2025. This figure includes involuntary separations initiated by the employer, including layoffs with no intent to rehire and discharges for cause.
What are total separations in South Dakota? ▼
Total separations in South Dakota reached 24 in Dec 2025. This includes all employees who left their jobs — whether through quits, layoffs, discharges, retirements, or transfers to other locations of the same firm.
Understanding Labor Data
More Data for South Dakota
Data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey (JOLTS).
PlainLabor is not affiliated with the BLS or any government agency.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official U.S. government datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainLabor Editorial
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — JOLTS Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey, state-level data · 2025-12 JOLTS measures job openings, hires, and total separations (quits + layoffs + other) by state. Data is monthly with about a 1-month publication lag.