South Dakota Median
$38,350
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.44
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-17% vs US median
US median $45,930
State Rank
#45 of 51
830 employed here
How much do Social and Human Service Assistants make in South Dakota?
Social and Human Service Assistants in South Dakota take home a median of $38,350 annually — roughly $18.44 an hour — which runs 17% below the national median of $45,930.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $29,850 while the top 10% make $48,120 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $31,810 and $44,500 a year.
Social and Human Service Assistants salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $29,850 | $14.35 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $31,810 | $15.29 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $38,350 | $18.44 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $44,500 | $21.39 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $48,120 | $23.13 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories for Social and Human Service Assistants pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Social and Human Service Assistants salary in other states
District of Columbia $59,460Washington $54,770Oregon $51,230California $51,090Minnesota $49,940New Jersey $48,420Rhode Island $47,720Maine $47,710Colorado $47,690Idaho $47,540Wisconsin $47,500Alaska $47,360Maryland $47,210New York $47,190Massachusetts $47,130Illinois $46,950New Hampshire $46,950Vermont $46,640New Mexico $46,340North Dakota $46,260Texas $45,860Wyoming $45,290Connecticut $44,730Indiana $44,550Florida $44,410Pennsylvania $44,050Virginia $43,450North Carolina $42,850Kansas $42,570Iowa $42,480Hawaii $42,400Missouri $41,780Arizona $40,730Delaware $40,710Tennessee $40,310Utah $39,930Georgia $39,480West Virginia $39,290Michigan $39,160Nebraska $38,940Montana $38,570Nevada $38,570South Carolina $38,550Ohio $38,390Kentucky $37,440Arkansas $36,770Oklahoma $36,740Alabama $35,830Louisiana $35,780Mississippi $31,200
Working as Social and Human Service Assistants in South Dakota
Nationally, about 438,000 people work as Social and Human Service Assistants 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 ($38,350) 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 do Social and Human Service Assistants make in South Dakota?
The median Social and Human Service Assistants salary in South Dakota is $38,350 per year, or about $18.44 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $29,850 at the entry level to $48,120 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Social and Human Service Assistants about 17% less than the national median of $45,930. South Dakota ranks 45th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Social and Human Service Assistants?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $38,350 a year. About 830 Social and Human Service Assistants 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 Social and Human Service Assistants 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.