SOC 25-2012 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in South Dakota is $49,410 a year, trailing the national median of $62,680 by 21.2%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in South Dakota is $49,410 a year, trailing the national median of $62,680 by 21.2%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $48,050 and $57,440. The lowest tenth earn under $46,520, while the highest tenth earn more than $59,910.
The area has 610 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.90 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. South Dakota ranks number 47th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Rapid City records the highest median at $58,670. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 330th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,520 | −25.8% |
| 25th | $48,050 | −23.3% |
| Median (50th) | $49,410 | −21.2% |
| 75th | $57,440 | −8.4% |
| 90th | $59,910 | −4.4% |
| Mean | $51,640 | −17.6% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $58,670 | 70 | |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $48,490 | 220 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $49,410 goes as far as $55,767 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 11.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,410as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,767US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,410 a year, 21.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,520 to $59,910 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 610 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $58,670.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Kindergarten Teachers, Except Special Education in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $49,410, 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 $62,680, so pay in South Dakota is 21.2% 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 $59,910 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,520 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 $58,670 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 610 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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