BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Childcare Workers in South Dakota

$29,720 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$14.29 per hour

▼ 15.2% below U.S. average42nd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$29,720per year
Median$27,940per year
Hourly$14.29per hour
10th – 90th percentile$26,500 – $37,840per year

Childcare Workers Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$26,500
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$27,270
  • 50th Percentile — Median$27,940
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$30,010
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$37,840

Half of Childcare Workers in South Dakota earn more than $27,940. The top 10% make $37,840 or more, while entry-level workers start around $26,500.

Childcare Workers in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 42nd of 51 states for Childcare Workers pay, at $29,720 per year (15.2% below the U.S. average of $35,030).
  • 2,370 people work as Childcare Workers in South Dakota — 0.5% of all U.S. Childcare Workers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.56: Childcare Workers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $26,500; the top 10% earn over $37,840.
  • Hourly equivalent: $14.29 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $48,360.
  • Among personal services jobs in South Dakota, Hairdressers Hairstylists and Cosmetologists pays the most ($48,310).

Childcare Workers Job Market in South Dakota

Key factors affecting compensation

South Dakota's key industries are Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, and its job market is rated moderate. Childcare Workers here earn $29,720 on average, placing the state 42nd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $29,720 is roughly equivalent to $34,161 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Tennessee ($30,720), South Carolina ($30,600), Kentucky ($30,520) are the closest alternatives for Childcare Workers weighing a move.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · May 2025

Related career salary benchmarks

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this salary

What is the average Childcare Workers salary in South Dakota?

The average Childcare Workers salary in South Dakota is $29,720 per year (median $27,940), which is 15.2% below the national average of $35,030.

How does South Dakota rank for Childcare Workers pay?

South Dakota ranks 42nd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($48,360/yr).

How much do entry-level Childcare Workers make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Childcare Workers in South Dakota earn about $26,500 per year and the 25th percentile is $27,270.

How much do Childcare Workers make per hour in South Dakota?

About $14.29 per hour, based on the $29,720 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Childcare Workers work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 2,370 Childcare Workers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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