Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Salary in South Dakota
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in South Dakota was $53,650 -9.6% vs national
South Dakota vs United States
| South Dakota | United States | |
|---|---|---|
| Median annual | $53,650 | $59,350 |
| Median hourly | $25.79 | $28.53 |
| Employment | 1,710 | 491,930 |
| Location quotient | 1.18 | 1.00 |
Data source: BLS OES state file (South Dakota) · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
The numbers in context
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $39,210, median pay is $53,650, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $67,010.
The mean wage of $54,760 sits 2.1% above the median — the typical worker earns close to the median, while a smaller group of higher earners pulls the average up.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors salary in South Dakota?
The median annual wage in South Dakota is $53,650 ($25.79 per hour), per BLS OES May 2025 data.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors?
The South Dakota median of $53,650 is 9.6% lower than the U.S. median of $59,350.
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in South Dakota?
Approximately 1,710 are employed in South Dakota, per BLS OES.