Speech-Language Pathologist salary in South Dakota
Speech-Language Pathologists in South Dakota earn a median of $65,680 a year ($31.58 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,810 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $97,870. South Dakota ranks 51st of 51 states for Speech-Language pathologists pay. There are 0.91 Speech-Language pathologists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $73,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for Speech-Language pathologists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,740 | $26.32 |
| 25th percentile | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Median | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| 75th percentile | $82,560 | $39.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $98,810 | $47.51 |
| Average (mean) | $73,310 | $35.24 |
Half of Speech-Language pathologists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,473.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,736.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,526.15 |
| Weekly | $1,263.08 |
| Hourly | $31.58 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Speech-Language Pathologist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $81,900 | 70 |
| Rapid City, SD | $71,690 | 80 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $68,920 | 170 |
Highest-paying states for Speech-Language pathologists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $118,970 |
| Colorado | $110,750 |
| District of Columbia | $109,380 |
| Washington | $105,550 |
| Nevada | $104,510 |
| Rhode Island | $104,000 |
| Delaware | $102,760 |
| Alaska | $102,670 |
| Oregon | $102,660 |
| New Jersey | $101,560 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1127. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Speech-Language pathologist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for Speech-Language pathologists in South Dakota is $65,680 a year, or $31.58 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $98,810 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid Speech-Language pathologists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of Speech-Language pathologists in South Dakota earn at least $98,810 a year. The top 25% earn $82,560 or more.
What is the starting pay for Speech-Language pathologists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,740 a year, and a quarter of Speech-Language pathologists earn $62,400 or less.
How many Speech-Language pathologists work in South Dakota?
About 410 Speech-Language pathologists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.