South Dakota GLP-1 Affordability: 17 Hours of Work for One Month of Medication
A South Dakota worker earning the median wage must work 2.1 full days to afford one month of GLP-1 medication, ranking #10 of 51 nationally.
2026 analysis using BLS wage data and current manufacturer pricing | Updated February 2026
median wage
take-home pay
spent on 12 months of Rx
South Dakota has an obesity rate of 35.2% — 20th highest in the nation — but ranks #10 least affordable out of 51 for the treatment.
According to the 2026 GLP-1 Affordability Index, South Dakota workers earning median wages must spend 13.1% of their monthly take-home pay — equivalent to 17 hours of work — to afford one month of GLP-1 weight loss medication at the best available self-pay price ($349/mo), ranking the state #10 of 51 nationally.
A year of GLP-1 medication at the current self-pay price ($4,188) consumes 115.1% of what the average South Dakota resident saves annually — meaning South Dakota workers must sacrifice 1.15 years of personal savings for 12 months of treatment.
| Metric | Self-Pay ($349/mo) | Wegovy List ($1,349/mo) |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Cost | $349 | $1,349 |
| Annual Cost | $4,188 | $16,188 |
| Hours at Median Wage ($20.49/hr) | 17 | 65.8 |
| Hours at Minimum Wage ($11.85/hr) | 29.5 | 113.8 |
| % of Monthly Take-Home Pay | 13.1% | 50.6% |
| Working Days per Month | 2.1 | 8.2 |
| Annual Cost as % of Savings | 115.1% | 445% |
| 160-Hour Wall (Min Wage) | No | No |
| State | Median Wage | Hours (Self-Pay) | Rank | Obesity Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | $20.49 | 17 | #10 | 35.2% |
| North Dakota | $23.27 | 15 | #32 | 35.8% |
| Minnesota | $25.18 | 13.9 | #40 | 30.8% |
| Iowa | $21.44 | 16.3 | #19 | 37.4% |
| Nebraska | $21.39 | 16.3 | #21 | 35.2% |
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<img src="https://weightlossproviderguide.com/research/images/glp1-statcard-south-dakota.webp" alt="South Dakota GLP-1 Affordability: 17 hours of work per month" width="1200" height="630"> <p>Source: <a href="https://weightlossproviderguide.com/research/glp1-affordability-index/south-dakota/">GLP-1 Affordability Index</a>, 2026</p>
Methodology: How we calculated these numbers
This analysis uses publicly available federal data to measure how affordable GLP-1 weight loss medications are for workers in each U.S. state.
WAGE DATA: Median hourly wages are from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, May 2024 release. We use the “All Occupations” (SOC 00-0000) median hourly wage for each state. Minimum wages reflect state rates effective January 1, 2026, from the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division.
INCOME DATA: Median household income from the U.S. Census Bureau 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-year estimates. Estimated annual savings calculated as median household income × 5.0%, assuming a 5% personal saving rate (illustrative estimate).
MEDICATION PRICING: Self-pay price of $349/month reflects Novo Nordisk self-pay cash pricing via NovoCare Pharmacy (terms apply; government beneficiaries excluded). Wegovy list price of $1,349/month reflects the wholesale acquisition cost (WAC). Both prices current as of February 2026.
NOTE: As of January 2026, an oral Wegovy pill is also available at $149–$299/mo via NovoCare Pharmacy. This analysis uses the Wegovy injectable self-pay price of $349/mo as the baseline.
HEALTH DATA: Adult obesity prevalence from the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) 2024. Medicaid GLP-1 coverage status from KFF analysis as of January 2026.
CALCULATIONS:
- Hours of work = Monthly drug cost ÷ hourly wage
- % of take-home pay = Monthly drug cost ÷ (hourly wage × 173.33 hours/month × 0.75 tax adjustment) × 100
- 160-Hour Wall = Flagged when hours at minimum wage for list price exceeds 160 (standard full-time month)
- Double Bind = State has obesity rate ≥ 35% AND affordability rank in bottom half
- Savings Wipeout = Annual drug cost ÷ estimated annual savings × 100
LIMITATIONS: Take-home pay estimate uses a flat 25% deduction for taxes/FICA, which varies by state and individual circumstances. Savings estimates are approximations. Actual out-of-pocket costs vary based on insurance, employer coverage, and eligibility for manufacturer programs.
Full dataset available for download: CSV • Full methodology
Because South Dakota Medicaid does not cover GLP-1s for weight management, many residents are exploring regulated alternatives.
→ Read our 2026 guide: How South Dakota residents are accessing GLP-1 medications
“GLP-1 Affordability Index: South Dakota.” Weight Loss Provider Guide, 2026.
https://weightlossproviderguide.com/research/glp1-affordability-index/south-dakota/