Healthcare Social Worker Salary in South Dakota (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Dakota Median
$57,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.65
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $67,880
State Rank
#48 of 51
790 employed here

How much does a Healthcare Social Worker make in South Dakota?

Healthcare Social Workers in South Dakota take home a median of $57,510 annually — roughly $27.65 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $67,880.

Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $43,750 while the top 10% make $78,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,650 and $72,640 a year.

Healthcare Social Worker salary range in South Dakota

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$43,750$21.03
25th percentile (early career)$49,650$23.87
50th percentile (median)$57,510$27.65
75th percentile (experienced)$72,640$34.92
90th percentile (top earners)$78,420$37.70

How South Dakota compares

South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories for Healthcare Social Worker pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$94,100
2California$89,660
3Hawaii$85,420
4Oregon$84,350
5New Jersey$82,690

Working as a Healthcare Social Worker in South Dakota

Nationally, about 188,000 people work as Healthcare Social Workers 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 ($57,510) 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 Healthcare Social Worker make in South Dakota?
The median Healthcare Social Worker salary in South Dakota is $57,510 per year, or about $27.65 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $43,750 at the entry level to $78,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Healthcare Social Workers about 15% less than the national median of $67,880. South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Healthcare Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,510 a year. About 790 Healthcare Social 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 Healthcare Social 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.