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Workforce

In the Rushmore Region, the “Midwestern work ethic” goes beyond the cliché. Located in a right-to-work state, the region boasts a workforce with a wide range of skills – from skilled tradesman, who understand the nuances of metal manufacturing, to engineers and research scientists.

Not only is South Dakota a right-to-work state, we have low unemployment rates and one of the highest net inbound migration rates in the country. Our workforce chooses to make the Rushmore Region their home.

Companies also have access to several programs to help recruit and train new and existing employees through the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development.

For more information on their extensive capabilities, visit https://sdgoed.com/build-your-business/workforce-education/

As workforce experts, the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation offers a vast variety of training and education programs to help ensure employers have a skilled workforce, and to help individuals realize their potential as employees. They can adapt and customize education and job training programs to meet the changing demands of employers.

For more information, visit their website at https://dlr.sd.gov/.

Employee Training and Development Resources

Industries throughout the region work with these educational institutions to develop customized training programs specific to their needs:

Local companies also have access to several programs to help recruit and train new and existing employees through the South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development. For more information on their extensive capabilities, visit https://sdgoed.com/build-your-business/workforce-education/ 

Largest Employers in the Rushmore Region in Alphabetical Order, Updated June 2025

(Private Ownership and Government)

Advanced Services Inc.
Black Hills Energy
Black Hills Federal Credit Union
Black Hills Special Services Cooperative
Black Hills State University
Black Hills Surgical Hospital
Black Hills Works
Douglas School District
Great Plains Tribal Charimen’s Health Board
Meade School District
Menards
Monument Health Rapid City
Monument Health Spearfish

Pennington County
Rapid City – City
Rapid City School District
Scheels
SD School of Mines & Technology
Silverado Franklin Hotel & Gaming
Spearfish School District
Synchrony Bank
US Department of Defense
Veterans Affairs Black Hills Health Care System
Walmart
Wharf Mine

Note: Rushmore Region, South Dakota includes Butte, Custer, Fall River, Lawrence, Meade, and Pennington counties.

Source: Labor Market Information Center, South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation in May 2025, using fourth quarter 2024 employment data from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW). Only employment covered by Reemployment Assistance (unemployment insurance) is included in the QCEW program.

Employer Industry Location(s) Employees
Monument Health Healthcare, Hospitals Rapid City, Spearfish, Sturgis, Deadwood, Custer, Belle Fourche, Wall 5,100
Ellsworth Air Force Base Military, Civilian Box Elder 4,252
Federal Government Government Rapid City 2,912
Rapid City School District Education Rapid City 1,774
Walmart / Sam's Club Retail Rapid City & Spearfish 1,399
State of South Dakota Government Rapid City 1,217
VA System Black Hills Healthcare  Healthcare, Hospitals Sturgis & Hot Springs 1,051
Black Hills Corporation Corporate Headquarters / Energy Rapid City 850
City of Rapid City Government Rapid City 815
Pennington County Government Rapid City 743
Liv Hospitality Travel, Tourism, Entertainment Rapid City, Deadwood, Box Elder 733
Black Hills Special Services Education Sturgis 578
Black Hills Works Human Services Rapid City 550
South Dakota School of Mines & Technology Education Rapid City 442
Black Hills State University Education Spearfish 415
Black Hills Surgical Hospital Healthcare Rapid City 390
South Dakota National Guard Military Rapid City 370
Meade School District Education Sturgis 350
Synchrony Financial Customer Service Center Private Label Credit Cards Rapid City 325
Advanced Services, Inc. (ASI) Customer Service Center, GE Appliance Support Rapid City 319
Neiman Enterprises, Inc. Lumber / Forest Products Spearfish & Hill City 313
Menard’s Retail Rapid City 280
Spearfish School District Education Spearfish 250
Scull Construction Construction Rapid City 246
Assurant Specialty Insurance Rapid City 230
RESPEC Corporate Headquarters / Engineering Rapid City 230
Fleet Farm Retail Rapid City 185
Runnings Retail Rapid City & Belle Fourche 150
Mass Markets Customer Service Center Business Process Outsourcing Spearfish 100
Employer Industry Location(s) Employees
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