South Dakota Median
$65,680
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.58
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-33% vs US median
US median $97,870
State Rank
#51 of 51
410 employed here
How much does a Speech-Language Pathologist make in South Dakota?
Speech-Language Pathologists in South Dakota take home a median of $65,680 annually — roughly $31.58 an hour — which runs 33% below the national median of $97,870.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $54,740 while the top 10% make $98,810 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $62,400 and $82,560 a year.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,740 | $26.32 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $62,400 | $30.00 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $65,680 | $31.58 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $82,560 | $39.69 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,810 | $47.50 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories for Speech-Language Pathologist pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in other states
California $118,970Colorado $110,750District of Columbia $109,380Washington $105,550Nevada $104,510Rhode Island $104,000Delaware $102,760Alaska $102,670Oregon $102,660New Jersey $101,560Massachusetts $101,310New York $100,610Connecticut $100,110Florida $99,990Texas $99,910Maryland $99,190New Mexico $98,690Arizona $97,800Hawaii $97,560Georgia $96,760Virginia $96,250Illinois $95,080Ohio $93,300Pennsylvania $92,960Utah $91,560South Carolina $90,530Minnesota $89,380Missouri $89,280Michigan $89,120Indiana $87,360North Carolina $86,460Tennessee $84,630Oklahoma $84,470Idaho $84,380Nebraska $84,350Arkansas $83,580Kentucky $83,550New Hampshire $83,040Wisconsin $83,000Maine $82,660Vermont $82,090Wyoming $82,040Iowa $81,050West Virginia $80,970Kansas $80,120Montana $78,740Mississippi $78,130North Dakota $75,240Alabama $73,660Louisiana $69,610
Working as a Speech-Language Pathologist in South Dakota
Nationally, about 183,000 people work as Speech-Language Pathologists 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 ($65,680) 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 Speech-Language Pathologist make in South Dakota?
The median Speech-Language Pathologist salary in South Dakota is $65,680 per year, or about $31.58 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $54,740 at the entry level to $98,810 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Speech-Language Pathologists about 33% less than the national median of $97,870. South Dakota ranks 51st out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Speech-Language Pathologists?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,680 a year. About 410 Speech-Language Pathologists 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 Speech-Language Pathologist 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.