| 1937-49 | John L. Calene, Aberdeen |
| 1949-58 | Charles E. Morsman, Hot Springs |
| 1958-64 | Donald L. Kegaries, Rapid City |
| 1964-70 | Theodore H. Sattler, Yankton |
| 1970-71 | Gordon G. Paulson, Rapid City |
| 1971-76 | Robert F. Thompson, Yankton |
| 1976-80 | Everett W. Sanderson, Sioux Falls |
| 1980-84 | Reuben J. Bareis, Rapid City |
| 1984-88 | William R. Taylor, Aberdeen |
| 1988-92 | Donald W. Humphreys, Sioux Falls |
| 1992-96 | John D. Barker, Jr., Sioux Falls |
| 1996-00 | Brian T. Hurley, Sioux Falls |
| 1998-99 | Richard P. Holm, Brookings (Transitional Governor until Oct. 2, 1999) |
| 2000-04 | David E. Sandvik, Rapid City |
| 2004-08 | David Lee Elson, Sioux Falls |
| 2008-12 | Richard P. Holm, Brookings |
| 2012-14 | Thomas M. Braithwaite, Sioux Falls |
| 2014-15 Interim | Richard P. Holm, Brookings |
| 2015-2019 | Matt N Bien, Brookings |
| 2019-2023 | Robert L Allison, Fort Pierre |
| 2023 - present | Eric A Larson, Sioux Falls |