Health Education Specialist salary in Rapid City, SD
Health Education Specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $60,770 a year ($29.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,300 for the top 10%. That is 5% lower than the national median of $64,070. Pay here is 6% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $57,370. There are 0.52 health education specialists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $60,720, close to the median.
Pay range for health education specialists in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,210 | $18.85 |
| 25th percentile | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| Median | $60,770 | $29.22 |
| 75th percentile | $72,710 | $34.96 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $74,300 | $35.72 |
| Average (mean) | $60,720 | $29.19 |
Half of health education specialists 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 | $5,064.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,337.31 |
| Weekly | $1,168.65 |
| Hourly | $29.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,770 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.
Health Education Specialist salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $57,840 | 100 |
Highest-paying states for health education specialists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $104,470 |
| District of Columbia | $103,330 |
| Georgia | $99,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $80,670 |
| Minnesota | $78,400 |
| Washington | $77,420 |
| Iowa | $75,750 |
| Oregon | $75,500 |
| Rhode Island | $75,360 |
| Colorado | $74,150 |
See Health Education Specialist pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Child, Family, and School Social Workers | $50,490 | $24.27 |
| Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors | $47,620 | $22.90 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Healthcare Social Worker | $77,790 | $37.40 |
| Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors | $56,040 | $26.94 |
| Community Health Worker | $45,700 | $21.97 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $63,540 | $30.55 |
| Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers | $44,250 | $21.28 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $44,690 | $21.48 |
More: Community and Social Service Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 21-1091. 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 health education specialist make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for health education specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $60,770 a year, or $29.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,210 for the lowest-paid 10% to $74,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid health education specialists make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of health education specialists in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $74,300 a year. The top 25% earn $72,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for health education specialists in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,210 a year, and a quarter of health education specialists earn $56,830 or less.
How many health education specialists work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 health education specialists are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.