South Dakota ranks 44th of 50 states and D.C. for human resources specialists pay, trailing top-paying District of Columbia ($102,500) by $40,580 — a 66% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $48,730 to $99,720 — a $50,990 spread, 37% tighter than the national $81,100 range.
Human Resources Specialists are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.55 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.82× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $48,730 | $23.43 |
| 25th percentile | $51,850 | $24.93 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,920 | $29.77 |
| 75th percentile | $80,790 | $38.84 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,720 | $47.94 |
| Mean (average) | $69,140 | $33.24 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $61,920 | n/a |
| District of Columbia | $102,500 | +66% |
| Washington | $83,230 | +34% |
| Massachusetts | $81,960 | +32% |
| California | $81,810 | +32% |
| Maryland | $81,140 | +31% |
| New York | $81,140 | +31% |
| Virginia | $78,580 | +27% |
| Colorado | $78,170 | +26% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary | $61,970 | 210 |
| Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | $61,790 | 350 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary | $62,120 | 170 |
| Market Research Analysts and Marketing Specialists | $61,720 | 1,460 |
| Interior Designers | $62,140 | 160 |
| English Language and Literature Teachers, Postsecondary | $62,150 | 130 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Human Resources Specialists salary in South Dakota?
The mean human resources specialists salary in South Dakota is $69,140 per year. The median (middle) salary is $61,920 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Human Resources Specialists in South Dakota?
Entry-level human resources specialistss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $48,730 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $51,850 per year.
What is the highest Human Resources Specialists salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $99,720 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $80,790 per year.
How does the South Dakota Human Resources Specialists salary compare to the national average?
The median human resources specialists salary in South Dakota is $61,920, which is -15% below national average of $72,910.