Secondary School Teachers in South Dakota. BLS OES + DOL OFLC + reader-reported submissions. How this is built →
What the numbers say
Secondary school teachers in South Dakota earned a median of $49,530 in 2024. That sits $22,620 below the national median of $72,150, a gap of roughly 31%. Among all states, South Dakota is consistently near the bottom of the pay range for this occupation.
The spread between the lowest and highest earners is narrow. The 10th percentile came in at $45,380 and the 90th at $61,160, a difference of about $15,800. For context, the same spread nationally tends to run wider. What that means here: experience and seniority add less to a South Dakota teacher's paycheck than they do in most other states.
South Dakota's cost of living runs below the national average, with an overall index of 89.7. Adjusting for that, the $49,530 median buys closer to $55,200 in national-baseline terms. That narrows the gap with the US median to around 23%. It does not close it.
BLS projects employment for secondary school teachers to decline 1.6% between 2024 and 2034, putting the occupation in the decline category. With 3,470 teachers currently employed in the state, even a small contraction means fewer openings over the decade, most of them replacing teachers who retire or leave rather than filling newly created positions.
Salary distribution
Where South Dakota secondary school teachers fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $48,180 and $59,500, with a median of $51,050.
Secondary School Teachers in South Dakota: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 31 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $53,278. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level I — entry | 21 | $51,950 |
| Level II — qualified | 6 | $57,012 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Secondary School Teachers in South Dakota. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc. | Information Technology Teacher | 7 | $49,700 |
| Sioux Falls School District 49-5 | Spanish Language Immersion Teacher | 4 | $55,195 |
| Tiospa Zina Tribal School | Secondary Teacher | 4 | $58,005 |
| Tiospaye Topa School | High School Science Teacher | 4 | $51,950 |
| Alcester-Hudson School Dist 61-1 | Teacher | 2 | $52,400 |
| LOWER BRULE DAY SCHOOL | High School Teacher | 2 | $63,000 |
| Mobridge-Pollock School District | Teacher | 2 | $60,000 |
| CROW CREEK TRIBAL SCHOOLS | HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER | 1 | $53,750 |
| Sicangu Oyate Ho Inc. | High School Math Teacher | 1 | $56,650 |
| SICANGU OYATE HO, INC. | Secondary School Teacher | 1 | $43,580 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Teacher at Alcester-Hudson School Dist 61-1$52,400AlcesterWage Level IDecided Mar 19, 2026I-200-26071-698922
- High School Science Teacher at Tiospa Zina Tribal School$61,859Agency VillageWage Level IIDecided Mar 4, 2026I-200-26056-664052
- Spanish Language Immersion Teacher at Sioux Falls School District 49-5$54,955Sioux FallsDecided Mar 2, 2026I-200-26054-658666
- K-12 Music Teacher at Summit School District 54-6$45,920SummitWage Level IDecided Nov 14, 2025I-200-25308-370826
- Secondary School Teacher at Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc.$46,000Saint FrancisWage Level IDecided Nov 4, 2025I-200-25268-335048
- Information Technology Teacher at Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc.$50,400St FrancisWage Level IIDecided Sep 26, 2025I-200-25262-323569
- Information Technology Teacher at Sicangu Oyate Ho, Inc.$50,400St. FrancisWage Level IDecided Sep 16, 2025I-200-25252-297859
- High School Math Teacher at Sicangu Oyate Ho Inc.$56,650Saint FrancisWage Level IIDecided Sep 10, 2025I-200-25246-283172
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
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Secondary School Teachers pay by experience level in South Dakota
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Secondary School Teachers specialties in South Dakota
Real specialty titles employers file for, clustered from 10 certified offers. The most common variant is Teacher at a median of $56,200.
| Specialty | Top employer | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Teacher | Alcester-Hudson School Dist 61-1 | 4 | $56,200 |
| High School Teacher | LOWER BRULE DAY SCHOOL | 3 | $61,500 |
| Secondary Teacher | Tiospa Zina Tribal School | 3 | $57,375 |
Specialties with 10 or more filings link to a dedicated breakdown.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in South Dakota over the past 3 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2025 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Bachelor's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
Internship/residency
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.6 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Education and Training
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Speaking
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Instructing
Technical
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.0 / 5
Learning Strategies
Cross-functional
- 4.0 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Prepare materials and classrooms for class activities.
- 02
Instruct through lectures, discussions, and demonstrations in one or more subjects, such as English, mathematics, or social studies.
- 03
Establish clear objectives for all lessons, units, and projects, and communicate those objectives to students.
- 04
Establish and enforce rules for behavior and procedures for maintaining order among students.
- 05
Adapt teaching methods and instructional materials to meet students' varying needs and interests.
- 06
Maintain accurate and complete student records as required by laws, district policies, and administrative regulations.
- 07
Observe and evaluate students' performance, behavior, social development, and physical health.
- 08
Plan and conduct activities for a balanced program of instruction, demonstration, and work time that provides students with opportunities to observe, question, and investigate.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
-1.6%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Declining
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Secondary School Teachers in South Dakota?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Secondary School Teachers in South Dakota is $51,050.
- How does South Dakota compare to the national median for Secondary School Teachers?
- The South Dakota median is -31.6% versus the BLS national figure of $74,587.
- What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers in South Dakota?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $47,130 and the 90th-percentile at $62,040, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Secondary School Teachers a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment declining by -1.6% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Secondary School Teachers?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Bachelor's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.