Elementary School Teacher Salary in South Dakota: $53,326 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median elementary school teacher pay sits at $53,326/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 25-2021. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,463 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($59,480), Watertown ($57,081), Yankton ($57,063).
Salaries for elementary school teachers in South Dakota are projected to average $53,326 in 2026, which is significantly below the national median of $64,597, reflecting a 17.4% gap. Among the 11 metro areas, Rapid City offers the highest average salary at $60,063, while Sioux Falls ranks lowest at $50,530. This disparity often arises from local funding for education, cost of living differences, and competition for skilled teachers within urban versus rural settings. In South Dakota, specific state licensing requirements include possessing a bachelor’s degree in education and passing relevant examinations. Additionally, the state has unique scope of practice laws that govern teacher responsibilities, impacting hiring and salary levels. Demand for teachers is influenced by enrollment trends, which can vary by region and local district funding. The job market for elementary school teachers is experiencing a projected annual growth rate of 0.98%, indicating steady opportunities for new educators. Top cities such as Watertown ($57,640), Yankton ($57,622), Spearfish ($57,478), and Mitchell ($57,064) provide varied options in terms of salary and community support. Understanding these dynamics can help prospective teachers make informed decisions on potential career paths in South Dakota.
South Dakota Elementary School Teacher Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $42,691 (lowest entry-level) to $88,864 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota elementary school teachers earn 17.45% less than the national median ($-11,271/year difference).
South Dakota Elementary School Teacher Salary Distribution (2026)
Elementary School Teacher salaries in South Dakota range from $47,255 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,900 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,326. The South Dakota median is $11,271 below the US national median of $64,597. The average hourly rate is $25.64/hr. Approximately 1,905 elementary school teachers are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,974
2025 BLS Actual
$52,808
2026 Current Est.
$53,326
2019–2027 Growth
+17.1%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,648 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,932 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,909 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,962 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,808 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,326 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,848 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 14.9% from $45,974 (2019) to $52,808 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,848 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,874 (17.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $50,530 |
| Huron | $55,283 |
| Vermillion | $55,368 |
| Brookings | $55,382 |
| Pierre | $56,320 |
Best Value Cities for Elementary School Teachers in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for elementary school teachers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $60,063 | 89.16 | $67,365 |
| Watertown | $57,640 | 92.8 | $62,112 |
| Yankton | $57,622 | 92.8 | $62,093 |
| Spearfish | $57,478 | 92.8 | $61,938 |
| Mitchell | $57,064 | 92.8 | $61,491 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,255 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,326 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $59,900 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $60,063 |
| 2 | Watertown | $57,640 |
| 3 | Yankton | $57,622 |
| 4 | Spearfish | $57,478 |
| 5 | Mitchell | $57,064 |
| 6 | Aberdeen | $56,968 |
| 7 | Pierre | $56,320 |
| 8 | Brookings | $55,382 |
| 9 | Vermillion | $55,368 |
| 10 | Huron | $55,283 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $50,530 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore elementary school teacher hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced elementary school teachers.
Explore More Elementary School Teacher Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do elementary school teachers make in South Dakota in 2026?
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How does South Dakota elementary school teacher pay compare to the national average?
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How many elementary school teachers are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for elementary school teachers?
Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 elementary school teacher compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more elementary school teacherscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov