Rehabilitation Counselor salary in South Dakota
Rehabilitation Counselors in South Dakota earn a median of $49,350 a year ($23.73 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,680 for the top 10%. That is 5% higher than the national median of $46,850. South Dakota ranks 17th of 51 states for rehabilitation counselors pay. There are 0.80 rehabilitation counselors per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for rehabilitation counselors in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,190 | $19.80 |
| 25th percentile | $46,010 | $22.12 |
| Median | $49,350 | $23.73 |
| 75th percentile | $60,580 | $29.13 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,680 | $36.86 |
| Average (mean) | $54,400 | $26.16 |
Half of rehabilitation counselors 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 | $4,112.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,056.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,898.08 |
| Weekly | $949.04 |
| Hourly | $23.73 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,350 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.
Rehabilitation Counselor salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $57,410 | 130 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $46,440 | 130 |
Highest-paying states for rehabilitation counselors
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Wyoming | $67,640 |
| North Dakota | $63,050 |
| Alaska | $61,590 |
| Kentucky | $58,540 |
| Washington | $58,050 |
| Connecticut | $56,340 |
| Georgia | $55,000 |
| Oregon | $54,970 |
| Idaho | $54,550 |
| Alabama | $54,040 |
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 |
| 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 21-1015. 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 rehabilitation counselor make in South Dakota?
The median salary for rehabilitation counselors in South Dakota is $49,350 a year, or $23.73 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,190 for the lowest-paid 10% to $76,680 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid rehabilitation counselors make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of rehabilitation counselors in South Dakota earn at least $76,680 a year. The top 25% earn $60,580 or more.
What is the starting pay for rehabilitation counselors in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,190 a year, and a quarter of rehabilitation counselors earn $46,010 or less.
How many rehabilitation counselors work in South Dakota?
About 370 rehabilitation counselors are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.