Salaries › Special Education Teacher › South Dakota
Special Education Teacher Salary in South Dakota (2026)
— per hour · take-home ≈ $43,231/year ($3,603/month) for a single filer
South Dakota ranks 48th of 51 states for Special Education Teacher pay, with a median about 28% below the national average. Of the 790 Special Education Teacher jobs BLS counts in South Dakota, the typical worker earns $51,090 a year — though pay ranges from $47,300 for newcomers to $61,740 at the top.
Special Education Teacher pay range in South Dakota
| Percentile | Annual wage | Meaning |
| 10th percentile (entry) | $47,300 | Lowest-paid 10% earn less than this |
| 25th percentile | $48,560 | A quarter earn less |
| Median (50th) | $51,090 | Half earn more, half earn less |
| 75th percentile | $58,640 | Top quarter starts here |
| 90th percentile (top) | $61,740 | Highest-paid 10% earn more than this |
BLS reports 790 Special Education Teacher jobs in South Dakota (occupation code 25-2052, “Special Education Teachers, Kindergarten and Elementary School”).
Gross vs. take-home in South Dakota
A median Special Education Teacher salary of $51,090 doesn’t all reach your bank account. After federal income tax, Social Security, and Medicare (no state income tax in South Dakota), a single filer keeps about $43,231 — an effective tax rate of 15.4%.
| Gross (median) | $51,090 |
| Federal income tax | −$3,951 |
| Social Security + Medicare | −$3,908 |
| South Dakota state income tax | −$0 |
| Take-home (annual) | $43,231 |
| Take-home (monthly) | $3,603 |
Want your exact numbers — married, 401(k), different salary? Use the free South Dakota paycheck calculator on PaycheckTally.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Special Education Teacher make in South Dakota?
- The median Special Education Teacher salary in South Dakota is $51,090 per year (— per hour) according to the latest BLS data. The middle 50% earn between $48,560 and $58,640.
- What is the take-home pay for a Special Education Teacher in South Dakota?
- On the median salary of $51,090, a single filer in South Dakota takes home about $43,231 per year ($3,603 per month) after federal tax, FICA — an effective tax rate of 15.4%.
- How many Special Education Teacher jobs are there in South Dakota?
- BLS counts 790 Special Education Teacher jobs in South Dakota in the latest survey (May 2025).
Top-paying states for Special Education Teachers
Other salaries in South Dakota
Sources and methodology
Wage and employment figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 (state file, released April 2026) — the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics survey, the most authoritative public salary dataset. Take-home estimate: 2026 federal brackets, FICA, and verified South Dakota state tax rules (single filer, standard deduction, no credits or local taxes). Estimates only — not financial advice.
- BLS OEWS — official occupational wage data.
- PaycheckTally — interactive 2026 take-home calculator for South Dakota.