Clergy salary in South Dakota
Clergy in South Dakota earn a median of $59,860 a year ($28.78 an hour), based on BLS data for 140 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,500 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $60,810. South Dakota ranks 25th of 50 states for clergy pay. There are 0.31 clergy per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $60,180, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for clergy in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| 25th percentile | $48,970 | $23.54 |
| Median | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| 75th percentile | $72,220 | $34.72 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,500 | $36.30 |
| Average (mean) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
Half of clergy earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,988.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,494.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,302.31 |
| Weekly | $1,151.15 |
| Hourly | $28.78 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,860 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Clergy salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $60,970 | 90 |
Highest-paying states for clergy
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $80,830 |
| California | $77,710 |
| Nevada | $73,910 |
| Massachusetts | $72,190 |
| New Jersey | $65,500 |
| New Hampshire | $65,200 |
| Vermont | $64,950 |
| District of Columbia | $64,800 |
| Maine | $64,340 |
| New Mexico | $64,100 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $53,360 | $25.65 |
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $51,100 | $24.57 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $53,650 | $25.79 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $51,830 | $24.92 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| Rehabilitation Counselor | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $66,870 | $32.15 |
| Community Health Worker | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $48,920 | $23.52 |
| Health Education Specialist | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $93,760 | $45.08 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $44,870 | $21.57 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-2011. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a clergy make in South Dakota?
The median salary for clergy in South Dakota is $59,860 a year, or $28.78 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid clergy make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of clergy in South Dakota earn at least $75,500 a year. The top 25% earn $72,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for clergy in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,890 a year, and a quarter of clergy earn $48,970 or less.
How many clergy work in South Dakota?
About 140 clergy are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.