Health Education Specialist salary in South Dakota
Health Education Specialists in South Dakota earn a median of $57,370 a year ($27.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,360 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $64,070. South Dakota ranks 44th of 51 states for health education specialists pay. There are 0.41 health education specialists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $62,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for health education specialists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,400 | $22.31 |
| 25th percentile | $54,350 | $26.13 |
| Median | $57,370 | $27.58 |
| 75th percentile | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,360 | $37.67 |
| Average (mean) | $62,030 | $29.82 |
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 | $4,780.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,390.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,206.54 |
| Weekly | $1,103.27 |
| Hourly | $27.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,370 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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $60,770 | 40 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Social Workers, All Other | $93,760 | $45.08 |
| Marriage and Family Therapists | $44,870 | $21.57 |
| Clergy | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| Directors, Religious Activities and Education | $53,360 | $25.65 |
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 21-1091. 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 South Dakota?
The median salary for health education specialists in South Dakota is $57,370 a year, or $27.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,400 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,360 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid health education specialists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of health education specialists in South Dakota earn at least $78,360 a year. The top 25% earn $72,780 or more.
What is the starting pay for health education specialists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,400 a year, and a quarter of health education specialists earn $54,350 or less.
How many health education specialists work in South Dakota?
About 190 health education specialists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.