South Dakota Median
$51,090
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.56
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $65,120
State Rank
#48 of 51
790 employed here
How much do Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in South Dakota?
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in South Dakota take home a median of $51,090 annually — roughly $24.56 an hour — which runs 22% below the national median of $65,120.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $47,300 while the top 10% make $61,740 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,560 and $58,640 a year.
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,300 | $22.74 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,560 | $23.35 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,090 | $24.56 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $58,640 | $28.19 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $61,740 | $29.68 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in other states
District of Columbia $97,910California $97,170Washington $95,040Massachusetts $91,350Rhode Island $84,300Connecticut $82,950New York $81,260Alaska $80,230Maryland $78,850Illinois $77,960Oregon $77,700New Jersey $76,660New Mexico $76,420Michigan $74,600Colorado $74,290Vermont $74,200Ohio $73,970Georgia $72,880Pennsylvania $72,680Virginia $67,740Minnesota $67,620Delaware $65,990New Hampshire $65,160Nevada $65,110Alabama $64,520Idaho $63,610Tennessee $62,560Nebraska $62,420South Carolina $62,360Texas $62,330Maine $61,880Wisconsin $61,520Utah $61,290Hawaii $60,940Wyoming $60,930Iowa $60,440Kentucky $60,060Kansas $59,970Florida $58,850Louisiana $58,800Indiana $58,760North Carolina $58,260North Dakota $57,950Montana $57,630Missouri $57,260Arizona $56,030Arkansas $54,290Oklahoma $50,630Mississippi $50,570West Virginia $50,380
Working as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School in South Dakota
Nationally, about 261,000 people work as Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 ($51,090) 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 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School make in South Dakota?
The median Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School salary in South Dakota is $51,090 per year, or about $24.56 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $47,300 at the entry level to $61,740 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School about 22% less than the national median of $65,120. South Dakota ranks 48th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,090 a year. About 790 Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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 Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary 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.