BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota

$52,680 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$25.33 per hour

▼ 27.5% below U.S. average49th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$52,680per year
Median$50,130per year
Hourly$25.33per hour
10th – 90th percentile$47,120 – $60,180per year

Elementary School Teachers Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$47,120
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$48,000
  • 50th Percentile — Median$50,130
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$58,030
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$60,180

Half of Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota earn more than $50,130. The top 10% make $60,180 or more, while entry-level workers start around $47,120.

Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for Elementary School Teachers pay, at $52,680 per year (27.5% below the U.S. average of $72,650).
  • 4,290 people work as Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Elementary School Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.05: Elementary School Teachers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $47,120; the top 10% earn over $60,180.
  • Hourly equivalent: $25.33 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is Washington at $97,970.
  • Among education jobs in South Dakota, Biological Science Professors pays the most ($83,890).

Elementary School Teachers 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. Elementary School Teachers here earn $52,680 on average, placing the state 49th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $52,680 is roughly equivalent to $60,552 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Missouri ($56,730), Arkansas ($56,210), West Virginia ($54,890) are the closest alternatives for Elementary School Teachers 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 Elementary School Teachers salary in South Dakota?

The average Elementary School Teachers salary in South Dakota is $52,680 per year (median $50,130), which is 27.5% below the national average of $72,650.

How does South Dakota rank for Elementary School Teachers pay?

South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is Washington ($97,970/yr).

How much do entry-level Elementary School Teachers make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota earn about $47,120 per year and the 25th percentile is $48,000.

How much do Elementary School Teachers make per hour in South Dakota?

About $25.33 per hour, based on the $52,680 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Elementary School Teachers work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 4,290 Elementary School Teachers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

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