verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

High School Teacher Salary in South Dakota

Median Annual in South Dakota
$51,050/yr
Median Hourly Wage
/hr
▼ 29% below U.S. median

Salary Distribution in South Dakota

groups Employed in SD
3,360
public U.S. Median
$72,040
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$57,628 #50 of 51

High School Teacher pay in South Dakota, explained

High school teachers in South Dakota earn a median of $51,050 per year (— per hour), which is 29% below the national median of $72,040. Entry-level workers earn around $47,130, while the most experienced high school teachers reach about $62,040. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within South Dakota.

Is $51,050 good pay in South Dakota?

Adjusted for South Dakota's cost of living (which runs 89% of the U.S. average), that $51,050 is worth about $57,628 in national buying power — ranking South Dakota #50 for real pay (vs #49 on the sticker number).

See the full High School Teacher Real Pay Index arrow_forward

High School Teacher pay by experience in South Dakota

Entry level (10th pct)
$47,130
$22.66/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$51,050
—/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$62,040
$29.83/hr

High School Teacher pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs SD
South Dakota (here) $51,050 $57,628
Minnesota $76,460 $77,529 −$25,410
Nebraska $63,450 $70,419 −$12,400
Wyoming $62,690 $67,633 −$11,640
North Dakota $61,210 $68,807 −$10,160
Iowa $61,200 $69,734 −$10,150
Montana $60,990 $64,441 −$9,940

High School Teacher in South Dakota: FAQ

How much do high school teachers make in South Dakota?

High school teachers in South Dakota earn a median of $51,050 per year (— per hour), compared with $72,040 nationally.

Does South Dakota pay high school teachers well?

At $51,050, South Dakota pays 29% below the national median for high school teachers. An estimated 3,360 work in the state.

High School Teacher salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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