South Dakota Median
$50,980
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.51
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-21% vs US median
US median $64,370
State Rank
#49 of 51
2,130 employed here
How much do Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in South Dakota?
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in South Dakota take home a median of $50,980 annually — roughly $24.51 an hour — which runs 21% below the national median of $64,370.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,000 while the top 10% make $60,790 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,030 and $58,320 a year.
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,000 | $22.60 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,030 | $23.09 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $50,980 | $24.51 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,320 | $28.04 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $60,790 | $29.23 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in other states
Washington $102,140California $98,950New York $94,840Connecticut $93,610Rhode Island $92,760Massachusetts $89,450District of Columbia $79,900Utah $79,180Alaska $78,940New Jersey $78,770Maryland $78,510Oregon $78,350Pennsylvania $77,930Ohio $77,090Illinois $76,110New Mexico $75,240Vermont $73,940New Hampshire $71,140Hawaii $69,230Delaware $67,780Nevada $66,300Georgia $64,780Michigan $63,790Colorado $63,760Maine $63,590Virginia $63,520Texas $63,390Minnesota $62,640Nebraska $62,510Wyoming $62,480Wisconsin $61,960Alabama $61,770Montana $61,550Kentucky $61,120Idaho $60,930South Carolina $60,810Indiana $60,700Tennessee $60,690Kansas $60,580Iowa $60,450North Dakota $60,100Arizona $59,710Arkansas $59,570Missouri $59,310Florida $58,940Louisiana $58,760West Virginia $57,210North Carolina $52,010Mississippi $50,790Oklahoma $48,440
Working as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in South Dakota
Nationally, about 620,000 people work as Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical 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 ($50,980) 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 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education make in South Dakota?
The median Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in South Dakota is $50,980 per year, or about $24.51 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,000 at the entry level to $60,790 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education about 21% less than the national median of $64,370. South Dakota ranks 49th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $50,980 a year. About 2,130 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical 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 Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical 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.