South Dakota Median
$49,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$23.73
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+5% vs US median
US median $46,850
State Rank
#17 of 51
370 employed here
How much does a Rehabilitation Counselor make in South Dakota?
A Rehabilitation Counselor working in South Dakota earns a median salary of $49,350 per year, or about $23.73 per hour. That is 5% above the national median of $46,850 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $41,190 while the top 10% make $76,680 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,010 and $60,580 a year.
Rehabilitation Counselor salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,190 | $19.80 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,010 | $22.12 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,350 | $23.73 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $60,580 | $29.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,680 | $36.87 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories for Rehabilitation Counselor pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Rehabilitation Counselor salary in other states
Wyoming $67,640North Dakota $63,050Alaska $61,590Kentucky $58,540Washington $58,050Connecticut $56,340Georgia $55,000Oregon $54,970Idaho $54,550Alabama $54,040Maine $51,150Vermont $50,030Texas $49,990New Jersey $49,730District of Columbia $49,680Illinois $49,350Delaware $48,840Hawaii $48,720Pennsylvania $48,650Arizona $48,330New Mexico $48,240West Virginia $48,050Minnesota $48,010Louisiana $47,990New York $47,960Colorado $47,840Virginia $47,530Massachusetts $47,320Nebraska $47,050Rhode Island $47,020Wisconsin $46,530Tennessee $46,060Florida $45,990North Carolina $45,890Montana $45,240Missouri $45,180Michigan $44,580California $44,480Indiana $44,390Utah $43,900Ohio $42,620New Hampshire $42,600Kansas $41,980Mississippi $41,500Maryland $40,860Nevada $40,120Iowa $39,630Oklahoma $38,260South Carolina $35,990Arkansas $35,210
Working as a Rehabilitation Counselor in South Dakota
Nationally, about 95,000 people work as Rehabilitation Counselors 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 ($49,350) 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 Rehabilitation Counselor make in South Dakota?
The median Rehabilitation Counselor salary in South Dakota is $49,350 per year, or about $23.73 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,190 at the entry level to $76,680 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Rehabilitation Counselors about 5% more than the national median of $46,850. South Dakota ranks 17th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Rehabilitation Counselors?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $49,350 a year. About 370 Rehabilitation Counselors are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
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 Rehabilitation Counselor 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.