BLS Official Data · OEWS May 2025

Preschool Teachers in South Dakota

$42,440 / year · average (mean) annual wage
$20.4 per hour

▼ 1.4% below U.S. average23rd of 51 states

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Dataset: OEWS May 2025 Published: May 2026 Coverage: All 50 States + DC
Average$42,440per year
Median$44,500per year
Hourly$20.4per hour
10th – 90th percentile$30,980 – $56,370per year

Preschool Teachers Pay Range in South Dakota

Pay distribution across experience levels

  • 10th Percentile — Entry Level$30,980
  • 25th Percentile — Junior$34,830
  • 50th Percentile — Median$44,500
  • 75th Percentile — Senior$48,260
  • 90th Percentile — Top Earners$56,370

Half of Preschool Teachers in South Dakota earn more than $44,500. The top 10% make $56,370 or more, while entry-level workers start around $30,980.

Preschool Teachers in South Dakota: Key Facts

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025

  • South Dakota ranks 23rd of 51 states for Preschool Teachers pay, at $42,440 per year (1.4% below the U.S. average of $43,030).
  • 1,470 people work as Preschool Teachers in South Dakota — 0.3% of all U.S. Preschool Teachers jobs.
  • Location quotient 1.05: Preschool Teachers jobs are more concentrated in South Dakota than in the U.S. overall.
  • Pay range: the lowest-paid 10% earn under $30,980; the top 10% earn over $56,370.
  • Hourly equivalent: $20.4 per hour (2,080 hours/year).
  • The highest-paying state is District of Columbia at $68,100.
  • Among education jobs in South Dakota, Biological Science Professors pays the most ($83,890).

Preschool 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. Preschool Teachers here earn $42,440 on average, placing the state 23rd nationally.

With a cost-of-living index of 0.87 (U.S. = 1.00), a South Dakota salary of $42,440 is roughly equivalent to $48,782 at the national average cost of living.

Compared with nearby states in the pay ranking, Illinois ($45,150), Minnesota ($45,130), Nevada ($42,970) are the closest alternatives for Preschool 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 Preschool Teachers salary in South Dakota?

The average Preschool Teachers salary in South Dakota is $42,440 per year (median $44,500), which is 1.4% below the national average of $43,030.

How does South Dakota rank for Preschool Teachers pay?

South Dakota ranks 23rd out of 51 states. The highest-paying state is District of Columbia ($68,100/yr).

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

The lowest-paid 10% of Preschool Teachers in South Dakota earn about $30,980 per year and the 25th percentile is $34,830.

How much do Preschool Teachers make per hour in South Dakota?

About $20.4 per hour, based on the $42,440 annual average and 2,080 working hours per year.

How many Preschool Teachers work in South Dakota?

BLS counts 1,470 Preschool Teachers jobs in South Dakota (OEWS May 2025).

Explore more salary data