South Dakota Median
$44,870
per year
Hourly Rate
$21.57
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $66,940
State Rank
#44 of 45
80 employed here
How much do Marriage and Family Therapists make in South Dakota?
Marriage and Family Therapists in South Dakota take home a median of $44,870 annually — roughly $21.57 an hour — which runs 33% below the national median of $66,940.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $37,060 while the top 10% make $53,420 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,840 and $51,810 a year.
Marriage and Family Therapists salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,060 | $17.82 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,840 | $20.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $44,870 | $21.57 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $51,810 | $24.91 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $53,420 | $25.68 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 44th out of 45 states and territories for Marriage and Family Therapists pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Marriage and Family Therapists salary in other states
Hawaii $141,960New Jersey $92,150Georgia $91,550Oregon $91,520Connecticut $86,250Utah $84,980Virginia $79,900Delaware $76,580Minnesota $72,470Maine $71,680New Mexico $70,630Ohio $70,240Maryland $69,900Kansas $68,710Massachusetts $67,370California $67,300Iowa $67,180Pennsylvania $66,040Arizona $65,290New York $64,430Arkansas $64,340Vermont $62,780Idaho $62,700Nebraska $62,610Illinois $60,970Colorado $60,700Missouri $60,440New Hampshire $60,030Alaska $60,010Washington $60,000Oklahoma $57,670Indiana $56,810Florida $56,400West Virginia $55,700South Carolina $55,430Kentucky $52,420Michigan $52,270Mississippi $51,440Alabama $49,990North Carolina $48,100Montana $46,960Tennessee $46,700Texas $46,300Wisconsin $37,870
Working as Marriage and Family Therapists in South Dakota
Nationally, about 67,000 people work as Marriage and Family Therapists 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 ($44,870) 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 Marriage and Family Therapists make in South Dakota?
The median Marriage and Family Therapists salary in South Dakota is $44,870 per year, or about $21.57 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,060 at the entry level to $53,420 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Marriage and Family Therapists about 33% less than the national median of $66,940. South Dakota ranks 44th out of 45 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Marriage and Family Therapists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $44,870 a year. About 80 Marriage and Family Therapists 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 Marriage and Family Therapists 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.