Elementary School Teacher Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $50,530 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $50,530/year (≈ $24.30/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $55,754 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.7% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Elementary school teachers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $50,530 in 2026, reflecting the local step-and-lane scale that often rewards advanced degrees. Teachers who hold a master's degree or a master's degree plus an additional 30 credits typically see placement towards the higher end of the pay scale, which ranges from $46,855 at the 10th percentile to $58,599 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, emphasize the need for educators in the district to consider further education and experience to maximize their compensation. Despite the appealing local pay scale, the salaries in Sioux Falls still trail the national median of $64,597, which might affect recruitment and retention efforts in this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,855 | $22.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,582 | $22.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,530 | $24.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,599 | $28.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,599 | $28.17 |
Median Salary Position
21.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $11,744 (2026 est.). At $50,530, the local median is 21.78% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux Falls Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $50,530/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $59,941 | -15.70% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -21.78% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $50,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.78% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 15.70% below the South Dakota state average of $59,941.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $50,530 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,754 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,810
2025 BLS Actual
$50,040
2026 Current Est.
$50,530
2019–2027 Growth
+9.0%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,810 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,040 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,530 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 6.9% from $46,810 (2019) to $50,040 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,216 (9.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,855 – $47,582 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,582 – $50,530 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,530 – $58,599 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,599 – $58,599 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, a total of 1,330 elementary school teachers contribute to the educational workforce, yet salary levels remain competitive but lower than many parts of the country. The cost of living index, currently at 90.631, indicates that housing and other living expenses are below the national average, which can somewhat enhance the purchasing power of teachers' salaries. The distribution of teacher pay within the district is often influenced by factors such as the step-and-lane pay structure, additional stipends for teachers in shortage areas, and contracts for summer school or after-school programs. To capitalize on pay opportunities, educators should consider pursuing National Board Certification or additional qualifications in high-demand subject areas like special education or STEM. Furthermore, exploring positions in school districts known for competitive wages can also be beneficial for maximizing annual earnings as a teacher in Sioux Falls.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $50,040 for elementary school teachersin the Sioux Falls metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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