Social Worker Salary in South Dakota
Based on 230+ workers in South Dakota
Data year: 2025 · Last updated: October 2026
Median Annual Salary (SD)
$48,920
$23.52/hr
vs National Average
$57,161
-14.4% vs national median
Salary Range (10th–90th)
$39K – $74K
230 employed in South Dakota
Salary Distribution — Social Worker in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,230 |
| 25th percentile | $44,250 |
| Median (50th percentile) | $48,920 |
| 75th percentile | $61,900 |
| 90th percentile | $73,610 |
Top-Paying Industries for Social Worker (U.S.)
Which industries pay Social Workers the most — nationwide figures (industry-level data is not available by state). Social Workers in South Dakota tend to follow these industry patterns.
| Industry (U.S.) | Median Salary | Employed (U.S.) |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Insurance | $94,250 | 550 |
| Educational Services | $72,880 | 2K |
| Government (excl. schools, hospitals & USPS) | $68,600 | 20K |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $65,990 | 2K |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $59,270 | 104K |
Source: U.S. BLS OEWS National Industry-Specific estimates, May 2025. National figures (not state-specific).
Historical Salary Trend — Social Worker in South Dakota vs National
| Year | Median Salary (South Dakota) |
|---|---|
| 2022 | $43,960 |
| 2023 | $43,990 |
| 2024 | $49,560 |
| 2025 | $48,920 |
| 2026 (projected) | $48,920 |
The latest year is a projection based on recent wage trends — BLS has not yet released that year’s data.
| Year | South Dakota Median | National Median |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | $43,960 | $50,498 |
| 2023 | $43,990 | $53,608 |
| 2024 | $49,560 | $56,931 |
| 2025 | $48,920 | $57,161 |
| 2026 (projected) | $48,920 | $57,161 |
Social Worker Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Years | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Junior | 0-2 yrs | $44,250 |
| Mid-level | 3-5 yrs | $48,920 |
| Senior | 6-9 yrs | $61,900 |
| Staff / Lead | 10+ yrs | $73,610 |
Social Worker Salary in Other States
Related Social Worker Salaries in South Dakota
How other high-demand occupations in South Dakota compare to Social Worker ($48,920 median).
| Occupation | Median Salary | vs Social Worker | Hourly |
|---|---|---|---|
| Radiologist in SD | $586,010 | +1097.9% | $281.74/hr |
| Emergency Medicine Physician in SD | $393,870 | +705.1% | $189.36/hr |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist in SD | $297,610 | +508.4% | $143.08/hr |
| Internal Medicine Physician in SD | $280,520 | +473.4% | $134.87/hr |
| Nurse Anesthetist in SD | $263,930 | +439.5% | $126.89/hr |
| Pediatrician in SD | $257,610 | +426.6% | $123.85/hr |
| Family Medicine Physician in SD | $239,970 | +390.5% | $115.37/hr |
| Psychiatrist in SD | $226,180 | +362.3% | $108.74/hr |
| Dentist in SD | $158,140 | +223.3% | $76.03/hr |
| Pharmacist in SD | $146,790 | +200.1% | $70.57/hr |
| Physician Assistant in SD | $133,200 | +172.3% | $64.04/hr |
| Nurse Practitioner in SD | $128,840 | +163.4% | $61.94/hr |