South Dakota Median
$51,830
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.92
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $64,330
State Rank
#51 of 51
1,000 employed here
How much do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in South Dakota?
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $51,830 per year, or about $24.92 per hour. That is 19% below the national median of $64,330 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $41,560 while the top 10% make $65,990 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,550 and $60,080 a year.
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,560 | $19.98 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,550 | $22.38 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,830 | $24.92 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,080 | $28.88 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $65,990 | $31.73 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in other states
California $86,500Alaska $82,900Washington $82,670District of Columbia $80,470Massachusetts $79,930New Jersey $77,910New Mexico $77,880Maryland $75,820Rhode Island $75,000Delaware $74,070Connecticut $73,910New York $71,610New Hampshire $71,080Texas $67,900Virginia $67,660Nevada $66,710Oregon $66,690Colorado $64,780Minnesota $64,600Vermont $64,570Kentucky $64,350Georgia $63,720Wyoming $63,430Wisconsin $62,690Nebraska $62,500Illinois $62,420Louisiana $61,870Ohio $61,760Hawaii $61,730Utah $61,320Pennsylvania $60,880South Carolina $60,340Idaho $60,320Tennessee $59,960Arkansas $59,770Alabama $59,570Michigan $59,440Indiana $59,260North Dakota $58,960Mississippi $58,710Maine $58,630Arizona $58,250Missouri $58,040Montana $57,900North Carolina $57,630Kansas $56,590Iowa $56,540West Virginia $55,520Florida $53,140Oklahoma $52,040
Working as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in South Dakota
Nationally, about 353,000 people work as Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare South Dakota pay ($51,830) 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 do Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors make in South Dakota?
The median Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors salary in South Dakota is $51,830 per year, or about $24.92 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,560 at the entry level to $65,990 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors about 19% less than the national median of $64,330. South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,830 a year. About 1,000 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 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 Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors 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.