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LABOR FORCE STATISTICS
As a tri-state center at a major interstate crossroads, Sioux Falls draws from a labor market area that includes 12 counties in three states. Despite our low unemployment numbers, the economic strength and job growth in our region has drawn waves of skilled professionals to our region, adding 2,500 new residents per year and accounting for more than 90 percent of the population growth in the entire state. These demographic trends were a large reason why Next Generation Consulting named Sioux Falls a Top 10 "Hotspot for Young, Talented Workers."
Workforce Development
The local high school graduation rate is consistently among the highest in the U.S. and over 10,000 adults are currently attending one of a dozen nearby colleges, universities or technical institutes in the city of Sioux Falls. Business partnerships at every level of training and education are encouraged and common, with customized training programs designed to meet specific company requirements. South Dakota's Workforce Development grants can provide substantial assistance to train new workers or upgrade the skills of existing workers.
Technical Schools
More than 2,500 students are enrolled in more than 50 programs at Southeast Technical Institute (STI), where higher education training options continue to reflect the current and future employment needs in our region. The Training Solutions Institute at STI is dedicated to making area employees as efficient and prepared as possible, from advanced computer skills to communication skills to hard skills like heavy equipment operation. STI draws about 20 percent of its students from surrounding states, with more than 80 percent of alumni remaining in the region and 90 percent working in their fields of study within six months of graduation.
Employer Partnerships
There is a culture of partnering with education at all levels in Sioux Falls. Hundreds of companies and thousands of students are engaged annually. ShadowED high school student shadowing, Interns in Industry college-level internships, and Career & Technical Education Academy sponsorships and mentorships are among the creative programs that provide support, direction and skills to strengthen tomorrow's workforce.
Additional Resources:
Governor's Office of Economic Development — Ready to Work
South Dakota Department of Labor
Civilian Labor Force, Employment & Unemployment |
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| Year | Labor Force | Employment | Unemployment | % Unemployed |
| 1990 | 74,228 | 72,125 | 2,103 | 2.8% |
| 2000 | 91,773 | 90,342 | 1,431 | 1.6% |
| 2010 | 128,827 | 122,807 | 6,020 | 4.7% |
| 2011 | 129,861 | 123,930 | 5,931 | 4.6% |
| Source: South Dakota Labor Bulletin | ||||
Non-Ag Wage & Salary Employment |
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| Year | Manufacturing | Non-Manufacturing | Total |
| 1990 | 8,433 | 64,734 | 73,167 |
| 2000 | 13,925 | 99,892 | 113,817 |
| 2010 | 12,108 | 121,192 | 133,300 |
| 2011 | 12,400 | 122,100 | 134,500 |
| Source: South Dakota Department of Labor | |||
Employment by Group Occupation - Sioux Falls MSA |
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| Occupations | Employment | Annual Mean Wage | ||
| All Occupations | 134,590 | $37,880 | ||
| Management | 3,930 | $98,670 | ||
| Business and Financial | 6,550 | $57,200 | ||
| Computer and Mathematical | 3,250 | $58,750 | ||
| Architecture and Engineering | 1,210 | $58,310 | ||
| Life, Physical, and Social Science | 640 | $59,460 | ||
| Community and Social Service | 1,940 | $37,210 | ||
| Legal | 610 | $77,350 | ||
| Education, Training and Library | 5,480 | $38,390 | ||
| Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports and Media | 2,240 | $37,210 | ||
| Healthcare Practitioners and Technical | 10,960 | $63,450 | ||
| Healthcare Support | 3,550 | $26,900 | ||
| Protective Service | 1,740 | $39,290 | ||
| Food Preparation and Serving | 11,960 | $20,090 | ||
| Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance | 4,920 | $23,510 | ||
| Personal Care and Service | 4,240 | $22,780 | ||
| Sales and Related | 15,650 | $36,840 | ||
| Office and Administrative Support | 25,660 | $28,250 | ||
| Farming, Fishing and Forestry | 220 | $28,520 | ||
| Construction and Extraction | 6,030 | $35,700 | ||
| Installation, Maintenance and Repair | 4,790 | $41,380 | ||
| Production | 8,930 | $30,450 | ||
| Transportation and Material Moving | 10,120 | $30,710 | ||
| Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | ||||
Non-Ag Wage & Salary Employment by Industry - Sioux Falls MSA |
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| Industry | 2011 | ||
| Natural Resources/Mining/Construction | 6,300 | ||
| Manufacturing | 12,400 | ||
| Wholesale Trade | 6,800 | ||
| Retail Trade | 16,700 | ||
| Transportation/Warehousing/Utilities | 4,900 | ||
| Information | 2,900 | ||
| Financial Activities | 14,600 | ||
| Professional/Business Services | 11,900 | ||
| Education/Healthcare Services | 27,500 | ||
| Leisure/Hospitality | 12,600 | ||
| Other Services | 4,900 | ||
| Government | 13,000 | ||
| Total Non-Ag Employment | 134,500 | ||
| Source: South Dakota Labor Bulletin | |||
Availability of Labor
With an infusion of approximately 2,500 people each year, Sioux Falls has been and remains a center of employment opportunity for the surrounding region. While it is difficult to determine the exact number of people available to staff new and expanding facilities as they are not identified by labor market assessments that rely solely on statistical unemployment figures, businesses have found a significant number of available workers in the area. Potential employees may also be found in the pool of people who are not actively seeking employment, but would be willing to work if the opportunity presented itself.
Major Area Employers 2012 |
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| Company | Industry | Employees |
| Sanford Health | Health Care | 7,703 |
| Avera Health | Health Care | 5,921 |
| John Morrell & Co. | Meat Processing | 3,300 |
| Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | Education | 3,000 |
| Citi | Credit Card Processing | 2,900 |
| Wells Fargo | Financial/Credit Card/Student Loans | 2,832 |
| HyVee Food Stores | Retail Grocery | 2,733 |
| Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society | Health Care | 1,426 |
| City of Sioux Falls | Government | 1,133 |
| WalMart/Sam's Club | Retail/Wholesale | 1,056 |
| Sioux Falls VA Medical Center | Government Medical Facilities | 1,036 |
| First PREMIER Bank/PREMIER Bankcard | Financial/Credit Card Processing | 1,025 |
| Raven Industries | Manufacturing | 943 |
| Midcontinent Communications/Midco Connections | Telecommunications/Cable Services | 862 |
| CIGNA | Mail Order Pharmacy | 725 |
| Esurance | Insurance Service Center | 630 |
| Capital One | Credit Card Processing | 625 |
| USGS EROS Data Center/SGT | Satellite Info Processing | 599 |
| South Dakota Achieve | Services for the Disabled | 570 |
| Billion Automotive | Auto Dealership | 550 |
| Sammons Financial Group/Midland National National Life | Insurance | 550 |
| United States Postal Service | Mail/Package Delivery | 524 |
| Augustana College | Educational | 520 |
| Minnehaha County | Government | 520 |
| Volunteers of Americas, Dakotas | Social Services Agency | 513 |
| Children's Care Hospital & School | Medical/Education | 503 |
| Lewis Drug, Inc | Retail Pharmacy | 500 |
| StarMark Cabinetry | Manufacturing | 500 |
| Midwest Coast Transport | Transportation | 500 |
| Source: Sioux Falls Development Foundation | ||
For more information:
Governor's Office of Economic Development, South Dakota - Ready to Workwww.sdreadytowork.com
South Dakota Department of Labor - Labor Market Information Center
http://dol.sd.gov/lmic/
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 Sioux Falls Development Foundation 200 North Phillips Avenue #101 PO Box 907 Sioux Falls, South Dakota 57101-0907 Phone: 605.339.0103 Fax: 605.339.0055 Toll Free: 1.800.658.3373  |
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