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Maybe you want to get a new job in the trucking field, and South Dakota is a good place to start.
In this article, we have compiled some important info regarding the training requirements, but also tips from the industry.
Article Table of Contents
Choosing a School
South Dakota has a small selection of trucking schools available.
Maybe you can’t afford to pay tuition or prefer it to have it covered by the school, in which case you should look into getting a scholarship.
One place to check out is Lake Area Technical Institute, which offers different types of scholarships for trucking students.
For example, you can get the Butler CAT Scholarship, the Dale & Cecilia Knox Family Scholarship, or the Dennis Tesch Memorial Scholarship.
Choosing a suitable school for your needs involves other factors, such as the time you want to spend training.
As a diesel technology student, you will attend courses that last from 1 to 2 years.
The 2 years course is for students who are pursuing an associate’s degree, while the one year course awards you a diploma.
Getting a degree will help you to get a better paid job in the future.
However, if you want to become a truck driver, all you need is to attend a short course, of 6 to 8 weeks.
At the end of the course, you will need to take a written and a skill test in order to get your license.
The Class A license is the most common one, however you can also apply for a Class B or C license.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| American Truck Driving Academy | 904 W 23rd St #105, Yankton, SD 57078 |
| Cornerstones Career Learning Center Inc | 33 3rd St SE Ste 202, Huron, SD 57350 |
| Lake Area Technical Institute | In the Technical Education Center 1201 Arrow Ave, Watertown, South Dakota 57201 |
| Midwest Coast Transport | 1600 E Benson Rd, Sioux Falls, SD 57104 |
| Mitchell Technical Institute | 1800 E Spruce St, Mitchell, SD 57301 |
| Northeastern Work and Technical Education Center | 2911 Industrial Ave., Aberdeen, SD 57401 |
| Regional Technical Education Center Inc | 1200 W 21st St., Yankton, SD 57078 |
| Southeast Technical Institute | 2320 N Career Ave, Sioux Falls, SD 57107 |
| The Training Place - CDL Training | 416 Production Street N Aberdeen, SD 57401 |
| Western Dakota Tech | 800 Mickelson Dr, Rapid City, SD 57703 |
When it comes to classes, you should opt for a small class size as it gives you more time to drive and interact with your instructor.
Perhaps you don’t have the time to attend traditional classes, and in that case, you can look into schools providing evening and weekend courses.
Lake Area Tech is one of the schools in this state offering a biodiesel fuel seminar.
This seminar will teach you how low emission diesel engines work, as well as new ways of injecting diesel exhaust fluid into car engines.
If you are looking for a school that provides several different diplomas, Southeast Technical Institute could be the right choice.
This school has a diesel program for an associate’s degree, as well as a diploma course.
How to Get Hired
Among the most important companies in South Dakota are MCT Transportation LLC, Foodliner, and Selland Trucking.
You will also be able to get hired at a repair shop, trucking company or dealership.
As per O*Net, truck driver positions will increase by 9% until 2022, while diesel mechanic jobs will see a 7% growth.
Below you can see the average salaries in the major cities of South Dakota.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $38,832 |
| Rapid City | $38,455 |
| Aberdeen | $36,111 |
| Brookings | $38,167 |
| Watertown | $38,167 |
| Mitchell | $38,167 |
| Yankton | $37,316 |
| Pierre | $36,776 |
| Huron | $37,139 |
| Spearfish | $37,791 |
Regional Salary in South Dakota
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | 730 | $54,970 | $26.43 | $71,980 | $43,080 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | 2,060 | $58,000 | $27.89 | $80,910 | $44,090 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
If your school offers job placement options, this is an easy way to get hired right after finishing your course.
Conclusion
There are many jobs in the field in South Dakota, and all you need to do is choose the right course for your needs.
Like this, you can improve your skills and enjoy a profitable career in truck driving.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Truck Driver
CDL Schools by State