South Dakota Median
$53,650
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.79
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-10% vs US median
US median $59,350
State Rank
#43 of 51
1,710 employed here
How much do Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in South Dakota?
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors working in South Dakota earn a median salary of $53,650 per year, or about $25.79 per hour. That is 10% below the national median of $59,350 for this occupation.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $39,210 while the top 10% make $67,010 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,650 and $62,660 a year.
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,210 | $18.85 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $45,650 | $21.95 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $53,650 | $25.79 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $62,660 | $30.13 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,010 | $32.22 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in other states
Alaska $80,770Oregon $74,590New Mexico $74,100Washington $68,910North Dakota $68,630Arizona $65,300Rhode Island $65,120Utah $63,890Nebraska $63,770Connecticut $63,590Idaho $63,360Wyoming $62,980New Jersey $62,820Texas $62,630Colorado $62,390Wisconsin $62,220Vermont $61,810Michigan $61,690Iowa $60,880Illinois $60,730District of Columbia $60,450Hawaii $60,090Maine $59,970Massachusetts $59,890Virginia $59,880Maryland $59,530Kansas $59,470New York $59,450Oklahoma $59,350California $59,250Montana $59,000Georgia $58,960Minnesota $58,780Ohio $58,360Nevada $57,210Missouri $56,910Florida $56,790Delaware $56,020North Carolina $55,490New Hampshire $54,840Kentucky $54,190Indiana $53,760South Carolina $52,370Pennsylvania $52,010Arkansas $51,580Tennessee $49,580West Virginia $49,430Alabama $47,310Mississippi $46,990Louisiana $37,910
Working as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in South Dakota
Nationally, about 492,000 people work as Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health 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 ($53,650) 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 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors make in South Dakota?
The median Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors salary in South Dakota is $53,650 per year, or about $25.79 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $39,210 at the entry level to $67,010 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors about 10% less than the national median of $59,350. South Dakota ranks 43rd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $53,650 a year. About 1,710 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 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 Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors 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.