South Dakota Median
$50,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $63,970
State Rank
#49 of 51
4,290 employed here
How much does an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education make in South Dakota?
An Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $50,130 per year, or about $24.10 per hour. That is 22% below the national median of $63,970 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,120 while the top 10% make $60,180 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,000 and $58,030 a year.
Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,120 | $22.65 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,000 | $23.08 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,130 | $24.10 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,030 | $27.90 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary in other states
Washington $102,350California $99,650District of Columbia $96,580Massachusetts $94,000Rhode Island $90,930New York $85,760Connecticut $80,600Alaska $79,260New Jersey $78,200Maryland $77,680Ohio $77,370Oregon $77,130Pennsylvania $77,060Minnesota $76,350Delaware $75,920Illinois $75,320Utah $74,810New Mexico $74,550New Hampshire $72,410Georgia $72,290Hawaii $71,410Virginia $65,550Michigan $65,110Nevada $65,040Colorado $63,410Vermont $63,070Texas $62,760Maine $62,390Nebraska $62,380Idaho $61,600Alabama $61,380Wisconsin $61,210Wyoming $61,150South Carolina $60,820Kentucky $60,610Iowa $60,580North Dakota $60,030Tennessee $59,980Indiana $59,700Florida $58,930Louisiana $58,770Montana $57,530Arizona $56,590Kansas $56,450West Virginia $55,630North Carolina $54,930Arkansas $52,700Missouri $50,910Mississippi $49,790Oklahoma $48,200
Working as an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education in South Dakota
Nationally, about 1,388,000 people work as Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 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 ($50,130) 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 an Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education make in South Dakota?
The median Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education salary in South Dakota is $50,130 per year, or about $24.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,120 at the entry level to $60,180 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education about 22% less than the national median of $63,970. South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,130 a year. About 4,290 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 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 Elementary School Teacher, Except Special Education 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.