Healthcare Social Worker salary in South Dakota
Healthcare Social Workers in South Dakota earn a median of $57,510 a year ($27.65 an hour), based on BLS data for 790 workers.
Pay ranges from $43,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,420 for the top 10%. That is 15% lower than the national median of $67,880. South Dakota ranks 48th of 51 states for healthcare social workers pay. There are 1.7 healthcare social workers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $59,640, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for healthcare social workers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $43,750 | $21.04 |
| 25th percentile | $49,650 | $23.87 |
| Median | $57,510 | $27.65 |
| 75th percentile | $72,640 | $34.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $78,420 | $37.70 |
| Average (mean) | $59,640 | $28.67 |
Half of healthcare social workers 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 | $4,792.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,396.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,211.92 |
| Weekly | $1,105.96 |
| Hourly | $27.65 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $57,510 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.
Healthcare Social Worker salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City, SD | $77,790 | 140 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $65,450 | 50 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $58,510 | 260 |
Highest-paying states for healthcare social workers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $94,100 |
| California | $89,660 |
| Hawaii | $85,420 |
| Oregon | $84,350 |
| New Jersey | $82,690 |
| Vermont | $81,140 |
| Connecticut | $79,900 |
| Washington | $78,570 |
| Nevada | $78,470 |
| New Hampshire | $78,260 |
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 |
| 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 |
| 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 21-1022. 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 healthcare social worker make in South Dakota?
The median salary for healthcare social workers in South Dakota is $57,510 a year, or $27.65 an hour. Pay ranges from $43,750 for the lowest-paid 10% to $78,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid healthcare social workers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of healthcare social workers in South Dakota earn at least $78,420 a year. The top 25% earn $72,640 or more.
What is the starting pay for healthcare social workers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $43,750 a year, and a quarter of healthcare social workers earn $49,650 or less.
How many healthcare social workers work in South Dakota?
About 790 healthcare social workers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.