Clergy Salary in South Dakota (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Clergies in South Dakota, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$59,860
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.78
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-2% vs US median
US median $60,810
State Rank
#25 of 50
140 employed here

How much does a Clergy make in South Dakota?

A Clergy working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $59,860 per year, or about $28.78 per hour. That is 2% below the national median of $60,810 for this occupation.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $37,890 while the top 10% make $75,500 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,970 and $72,220 a year.

Clergy salary range in South Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,890$18.22
25th percentile (early career)$48,970$23.54
50th percentile (median)$59,860$28.78
75th percentile (experienced)$72,220$34.72
90th percentile (top earners)$75,500$36.30

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories for Clergy pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$80,830
2California$77,710
3Nevada$73,910
4Massachusetts$72,190
5New Jersey$65,500

Working as a Clergy in South Dakota

Nationally, about 57,000 people work as Clergies in the United States. A master's degree (usually 5 to 6 years of college) is typically required.

Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($59,860) 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 Clergy make in South Dakota?
The median Clergy salary in South Dakota is $59,860 per year, or about $28.78 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,890 at the entry level to $75,500 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Clergies about 2% less than the national median of $60,810. South Dakota ranks 25th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Clergies?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,860 a year. About 140 Clergies 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 Clergy 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.