South Dakota Median
$48,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.52
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-19% vs US median
US median $60,280
State Rank
#37 of 51
230 employed here
How much do Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in South Dakota?
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota take home a median of $48,920 annually — roughly $23.52 an hour — which runs 19% below the national median of $60,280.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $39,230 while the top 10% make $73,610 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $44,250 and $61,900 a year.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,230 | $18.86 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $44,250 | $21.27 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $48,920 | $23.52 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,900 | $29.76 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $73,610 | $35.39 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in other states
New York $79,380California $79,000Connecticut $78,640Minnesota $75,020Maryland $73,580District of Columbia $73,310Vermont $73,210Washington $70,460Oregon $68,210New Jersey $66,590New Mexico $65,640Colorado $65,620Virginia $64,240New Hampshire $63,900Nevada $62,900Massachusetts $62,500Wisconsin $61,860Rhode Island $60,990North Dakota $60,980Michigan $60,830Delaware $60,060Wyoming $59,310Arkansas $58,590North Carolina $58,210Maine $57,050Alaska $56,710Kansas $56,330Hawaii $54,390Idaho $52,520Georgia $52,030Florida $51,590Utah $50,770West Virginia $50,070Illinois $49,960Missouri $49,560Mississippi $48,970Iowa $48,530Indiana $48,300Pennsylvania $48,290Louisiana $47,100Texas $46,630Tennessee $46,500Arizona $46,380Ohio $46,080Montana $45,160Nebraska $43,240Oklahoma $43,120Kentucky $42,570Alabama $41,500South Carolina $39,930
Working as Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota
Nationally, about 133,000 people work as Mental Health and Substance Abuse 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 ($48,920) 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 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers make in South Dakota?
The median Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Dakota is $48,920 per year, or about $23.52 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,230 at the entry level to $73,610 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers about 19% less than the national median of $60,280. South Dakota ranks 37th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $48,920 a year. About 230 Mental Health and Substance Abuse 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 Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers 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.