BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota

$53,400 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$25.67 per hour

▼ 21.5% below U.S. average38th of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$53,400per year
Median$48,920per year
Hourly$25.67per hour
10th – 90th percentile$39,230 – $73,610per year

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$39,230
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$44,250
  • 50th Percentile — Median$48,920
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$61,900
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$73,610

Half of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota earn more than $48,920. The top 10% make $73,610 or more, while entry-level workers start around $39,230.

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 38th of 51 states for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay, at $53,400 per year (21.5% below the U.S. average of $68,030).
  • 230 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota — 0.2% of all U.S. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs.
  • Location quotient 0.60: Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs are less concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $39,230; the top 10% earn over $73,610.
  • Hourly equivalent: $25.67 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is California at $91,050.
  • Among social services jobs in South Dakota, Health Education Specialists pays the most ($62,030).

Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social 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. Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers here earn $53,400 on average, placing the state 38th nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $53,400 is roughly equivalent to $61,379 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Florida ($55,310), Indiana ($53,990), Missouri ($53,470) are the closest alternatives for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social 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 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Dakota?

The average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Dakota is $53,400 per year (median $48,920), which is 21.5% below the national average of $68,030.

How does South Dakota rank for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay?

South Dakota ranks 38th out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is California ($91,050/yr).

How much do entry-level Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in South Dakota?

The lowest-paid 10% of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota earn about $39,230 per year and the 25th percentile is $44,250.

How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make per hour in South Dakota?

About $25.67 per hour, based on the $53,400 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 230 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data