South Dakota Median
$55,170
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-28% vs US median
US median $76,590
State Rank
#48 of 51
1,230 employed here
How much do Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants make in South Dakota?
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants in South Dakota take home a median of $55,170 annually — roughly $26.52 an hour — which runs 28% below the national median of $76,590.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $42,930 while the top 10% make $70,110 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,980 and $62,390 a year.
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $42,930 | $20.64 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,980 | $23.55 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $55,170 | $26.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,390 | $30.00 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $70,110 | $33.71 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants salary in other states
District of Columbia $90,850New Jersey $89,520California $89,000Massachusetts $82,650Connecticut $82,520Hawaii $80,710New York $80,640Virginia $80,330Washington $79,250Delaware $78,920Maryland $78,540Minnesota $78,470Rhode Island $77,820Oregon $75,480Pennsylvania $75,270Illinois $74,390New Mexico $73,890Texas $71,990New Hampshire $71,650Arizona $70,770Vermont $70,770North Carolina $70,140Ohio $69,600Alabama $69,450Wisconsin $68,920Georgia $68,290Tennessee $68,190Nevada $67,830Michigan $66,840Alaska $66,210Nebraska $66,210Colorado $65,850Kansas $64,860Florida $64,710Maine $64,100West Virginia $63,820Kentucky $62,410Iowa $62,340North Dakota $61,270Utah $61,130South Carolina $60,890Missouri $60,320Idaho $60,200Oklahoma $59,910Montana $59,750Indiana $59,080Mississippi $55,670Louisiana $53,240Wyoming $52,210Arkansas $51,600
Working as Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants in South Dakota
Nationally, about 460,000 people work as Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants 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 ($55,170) 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 Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants make in South Dakota?
The median Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants salary in South Dakota is $55,170 per year, or about $26.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $42,930 at the entry level to $70,110 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants about 28% less than the national median of $76,590. South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $55,170 a year. About 1,230 Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants 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 Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants 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.