South Dakota Median
$27,940
per year
Hourly Rate
$13.43
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-20% vs US median
US median $34,980
State Rank
#46 of 51
2,370 employed here
How much does a Childcare Worker make in South Dakota?
Childcare Workers in South Dakota take home a median of $27,940 annually — roughly $13.43 an hour — which runs 20% below the national median of $34,980.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $26,500 while the top 10% make $37,840 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $27,270 and $30,010 a year.
Childcare Worker salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $26,500 | $12.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $27,270 | $13.11 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $27,940 | $13.43 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $30,010 | $14.43 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $37,840 | $18.19 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories for Childcare Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Childcare Worker salary in other states
District of Columbia $47,340Washington $41,680Massachusetts $40,900Colorado $40,750California $40,020Oregon $38,650Vermont $38,030New York $37,590New Hampshire $37,080Hawaii $37,030Rhode Island $36,940Connecticut $36,660New Jersey $36,390Maine $36,350Alaska $36,200Maryland $36,030New Mexico $35,840Illinois $35,830Minnesota $35,520Montana $35,120Arizona $35,100Virginia $34,330Florida $34,210Delaware $33,210Wisconsin $32,460Utah $31,630Michigan $30,970Missouri $30,790Nebraska $30,740North Dakota $30,290Indiana $30,180Idaho $30,160Pennsylvania $30,140Nevada $29,740Ohio $29,680Tennessee $29,660South Carolina $29,650Kansas $29,240North Carolina $29,140Kentucky $28,920Texas $28,570Arkansas $28,450Iowa $28,420Wyoming $28,250Georgia $28,020Oklahoma $27,730West Virginia $27,710Louisiana $22,900Alabama $22,720Mississippi $22,050
Working as a Childcare Worker in South Dakota
Nationally, about 519,000 people work as Childcare Workers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($27,940) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Childcare Worker make in South Dakota?
The median Childcare Worker salary in South Dakota is $27,940 per year, or about $13.43 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $26,500 at the entry level to $37,840 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Childcare Workers about 20% less than the national median of $34,980. South Dakota ranks 46th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Childcare Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $27,940 a year. About 2,370 Childcare Workers are employed in South Dakota. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Childcare Worker salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.