Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in South Dakota
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School in South Dakota earn a median of $54,810 a year, based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $45,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,020 for the top 10%. That is 26% lower than the national median of $74,260. South Dakota ranks 50th of 51 states for special education teachers, secondary school pay. There are 1.1 special education teachers, secondary school per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,290, close to the median.
Pay range for special education teachers, secondary school in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $45,610 |
| 25th percentile | $48,800 |
| Median | $54,810 |
| 75th percentile | $58,360 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,020 |
| Average (mean) | $54,290 |
Half of special education teachers, secondary school 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 | $4,567.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,283.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,108.08 |
| Weekly | $1,054.04 |
BLS publishes only yearly pay for this job, because special education teachers, secondary school 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 $54,810 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.
Special Education Teachers, Secondary School salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $61,830 | 50 |
| Rapid City, SD | $58,360 | 70 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $51,050 | 150 |
Highest-paying states for special education teachers, secondary school
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $101,120 |
| California | $101,060 |
| District of Columbia | $99,670 |
| Maryland | $93,530 |
| Rhode Island | $92,990 |
| New York | $89,310 |
| Massachusetts | $83,890 |
| New Jersey | $83,770 |
| Connecticut | $81,710 |
| Alaska | $80,580 |
See Special Education Teachers, Secondary School pay in every state.
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | $50,130 | — |
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $51,050 | — |
| 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 | — |
| 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 25-2058. 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 special education teachers, secondary school make in South Dakota?
The median salary for special education teachers, secondary school in South Dakota is $54,810 a year. Pay ranges from $45,610 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid special education teachers, secondary school make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of special education teachers, secondary school in South Dakota earn at least $63,020 a year. The top 25% earn $58,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for special education teachers, secondary school in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $45,610 a year, and a quarter of special education teachers, secondary school earn $48,800 or less.
How many special education teachers, secondary school work in South Dakota?
About 500 special education teachers, secondary school are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.