SOC 21-1022 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Healthcare Social Workers — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
The median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in South Dakota is $57,510 per year, 15.3% below the national median of $67,880.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in South Dakota is $57,510 per year, 15.3% below the national median of $67,880. Half of workers earn between $49,650 and $72,640. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $43,750 and the ninetieth at $78,420.
The area has 790 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.7 of every thousand jobs. South Dakota ranks number 48th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Rapid City records the highest median at $77,790. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 252nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,750 | −35.5% |
| 25th | $49,650 | −26.9% |
| Median (50th) | $57,510 | −15.3% |
| 75th | $72,640 | +7.0% |
| 90th | $78,420 | +15.5% |
| Mean | $59,640 | −12.1% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $77,790 | 140 | |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $58,510 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $57,510 goes as far as $64,910 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 4.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$57,510as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,910US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $57,510 a year, 15.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,750 to $78,420 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 790 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 48th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $77,790.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Healthcare Social Workers in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $57,510, or $27.65 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $67,880, so pay in South Dakota is 15.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Dakota earns more than $78,420 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,750 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Rapid City, at $77,790 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 790 jobs in this occupation in South Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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