South Dakota ranks 35th of 50 states and D.C. for mental health and substance abuse social workers pay, trailing top-paying New York ($80,230) by $30,670 — a 62% gap.
The 10th-to-90th percentile range runs from $40,060 to $69,990 — a $29,930 spread, 54% tighter than the national $64,510 range.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers are less concentrated in South Dakota than the U.S. average — a location quotient of 0.65 means the occupation's share of local jobs is 1.54× below the national share.
Salary Range: 10th to 90th Percentile
Full Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry-level) | $40,060 | $19.26 |
| 25th percentile | $43,420 | $20.87 |
| 50th percentile (median) | $49,560 | $23.83 |
| 75th percentile | $56,830 | $27.32 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| Mean (average) | $51,560 | $24.79 |
How South Dakota Compares
| State | Median Annual | vs. South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota (current) | $49,560 | n/a |
| New York | $80,230 | +62% |
| Connecticut | $78,820 | +59% |
| Minnesota | $77,100 | +56% |
| California | $75,320 | +52% |
| District of Columbia | $72,720 | +47% |
| Oregon | $71,830 | +45% |
| New Jersey | $70,420 | +42% |
| Hawaii | $70,340 | +42% |
Showing top-paying states with available data. View all states →
Related Occupations in South Dakota
| Occupation | Median Annual | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $49,530 | 3,470 |
| Interpreters and Translators | $49,630 | 230 |
| Middle School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | $49,720 | 2,090 |
| Sheet Metal Workers | $49,780 | 540 |
| Special Education Teachers, Middle School | $49,330 | 290 |
| Librarians and Media Collections Specialists | $49,290 | 460 |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Dakota?
The mean mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in South Dakota is $51,560 per year. The median (middle) salary is $49,560 per year.
What is the starting salary for a Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers in South Dakota?
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workerss (10th percentile) in South Dakota typically earn around $40,060 per year. Workers at the 25th percentile earn approximately $43,420 per year.
What is the highest Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary in South Dakota?
Top earners (90th percentile) in this occupation in South Dakota make approximately $69,990 per year. Those in the 75th percentile earn around $56,830 per year.
How does the South Dakota Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary compare to the national average?
The median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary in South Dakota is $49,560, which is -17% below national average of $60,060.