South Dakota Median
$54,810
per year
Hourly Rate
$26.35
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-26% vs US median
US median $74,260
State Rank
#50 of 51
500 employed here
How much does a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in South Dakota?
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in South Dakota take home a median of $54,810 annually — roughly $26.35 an hour — which runs 26% below the national median of $74,260.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $45,610 while the top 10% make $63,020 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,800 and $58,360 a year.
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,610 | $21.93 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,800 | $23.46 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $54,810 | $26.35 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,360 | $28.06 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,020 | $30.30 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teacher, Secondary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in other states
Washington $101,120California $101,060District of Columbia $99,670Maryland $93,530Rhode Island $92,990New York $89,310Massachusetts $83,890New Jersey $83,770Connecticut $81,710Alaska $80,580Illinois $79,890Vermont $79,360Delaware $78,490Michigan $78,050Oregon $77,400Pennsylvania $77,000New Mexico $76,940Minnesota $76,600Ohio $76,180Georgia $74,150New Hampshire $69,560Virginia $68,400Colorado $67,240Hawaii $65,980Texas $64,830Arizona $64,300Utah $64,210Wisconsin $63,520Nebraska $63,460Wyoming $62,750Montana $62,310Alabama $62,210South Carolina $62,150Maine $61,710Florida $61,510Tennessee $61,360North Dakota $61,210Indiana $61,130Nevada $60,810Iowa $60,780Kentucky $60,730Idaho $60,700Kansas $60,700Oklahoma $59,660Louisiana $59,100Arkansas $57,000North Carolina $56,770Missouri $55,920West Virginia $55,390Mississippi $51,970
Working as a Special Education Teacher, Secondary School in South Dakota
Nationally, about 164,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 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 ($54,810) 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 Special Education Teacher, Secondary School make in South Dakota?
The median Special Education Teacher, Secondary School salary in South Dakota is $54,810 per year, or about $26.35 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,610 at the entry level to $63,020 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Special Education Teachers, Secondary School about 26% less than the national median of $74,260. South Dakota ranks 50th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Special Education Teachers, Secondary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $54,810 a year. About 500 Special Education Teachers, Secondary School 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 Special Education Teacher, Secondary School 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.