Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in South Dakota
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education in South Dakota earn a median of $51,050 a year, based on BLS data for 3,360 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,040 for the top 10%. That is 29% lower than the national median of $72,040. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education pay. There are 7.3 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $53,960, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,130 |
| 25th percentile | $48,180 |
| Median | $51,050 |
| 75th percentile | $59,500 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,040 |
| Average (mean) | $53,960 |
Half of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education 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 | $4,254.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,127.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,963.46 |
| Weekly | $981.73 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are usually paid a salary and may not work a full 2,080-hour year. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,050 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.
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,510 | 460 |
| Rapid City, SD | $59,540 | 390 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $51,630 | 920 |
Highest-paying states for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $102,670 |
| California | $101,370 |
| New York | $97,070 |
| Massachusetts | $95,260 |
| Rhode Island | $92,610 |
| District of Columbia | $82,750 |
| New Jersey | $82,200 |
| Connecticut | $80,970 |
| Illinois | $79,990 |
| Alaska | $79,650 |
See Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $50,130 | — |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $50,980 | — |
| Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education | $44,500 | $21.39 |
| Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School | $51,090 | — |
| Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education | $49,410 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Secondary School | $54,810 | — |
| Career/Technical Education Teachers, Secondary School | $56,070 | — |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $51,360 | — |
| Teaching Assistants, Except Postsecondary | $28,220 | — |
| Substitute Teachers, Short-Term | $27,840 | $13.39 |
| Library Technician | $29,590 | $14.23 |
| Instructional Coordinator | $57,910 | $27.84 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $51,210 | $24.62 |
| Teaching Assistants, Postsecondary | $39,840 | — |
More: Educational Instruction and Library Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 25-2031. 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 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in South Dakota?
The median salary for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in South Dakota is $51,050 a year. Pay ranges from $47,130 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,040 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in South Dakota earn at least $62,040 a year. The top 25% earn $59,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,130 a year, and a quarter of secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education earn $48,180 or less.
How many secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education work in South Dakota?
About 3,360 secondary school teachers, except special and Career/Technical education are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.