Speech-Language Pathologist Salary in South Dakota: $75,118 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median speech-language pathologist pay sits at $75,118/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1127. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,946 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Watertown ($87,330), Yankton ($87,303), Spearfish ($87,085).
In 2026, the average median salary for speech-language pathologists in South Dakota is projected at $75,118, which is significantly lower than the national median of $101,775, representing a 26.2% salary gap. The highest-paying city in the state is Watertown, with an average salary of $90,814, while Sioux Falls offers the lowest at $71,670. This difference of $19,144 between the highest and lowest-paying cities can be attributed to factors such as local demand for services, cost of living variations, and the presence of healthcare facilities that employ speech-language pathologists. In South Dakota, speech-language pathologists must adhere to state licensing requirements, which include holding a master's degree, completing a clinical fellowship, and passing a national examination. The scope of practice allows professionals to work across various settings, from schools to healthcare facilities. The projected annual growth rate for job opportunities in this field is 3.99%, indicating stable demand driven by factors such as an aging population requiring rehabilitative services and increased awareness of communication disorders. Currently, there are 295 employed speech-language pathologists in the state, highlighting an active job market.
South Dakota Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $52,297 (lowest entry-level) to $117,918 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota speech-language pathologists earn 26.19% less than the national median ($-26,657/year difference).
South Dakota Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Distribution (2026)
Speech-Language Pathologist salaries in South Dakota range from $57,486 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $107,311 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,118. The South Dakota median is $26,657 below the US national median of $101,775. The average hourly rate is $36.11/hr. Approximately 295 speech-language pathologists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,414
2025 BLS Actual
$72,236
2026 Current Est.
$75,118
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Salary Trajectory for Speech-Language Pathologists in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,414 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,618 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,549 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,166 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,236 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,118 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,115 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median speech-language pathologist salary grew 17.6% from $61,414 (2019) to $72,236 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,115 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,701 (27.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $71,670 |
| Rapid City | $74,550 |
| Huron | $87,100 |
| Vermillion | $87,235 |
| Brookings | $87,257 |
Best Value Cities for Speech-Language Pathologists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for speech-language pathologists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $90,814 | 92.8 | $97,860 |
| Yankton | $90,786 | 92.8 | $97,830 |
| Spearfish | $90,560 | 92.8 | $97,586 |
| Mitchell | $89,906 | 92.8 | $96,881 |
| Aberdeen | $89,756 | 92.8 | $96,720 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $57,486 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,118 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $107,311 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Watertown | $90,814 |
| 2 | Yankton | $90,786 |
| 3 | Spearfish | $90,560 |
| 4 | Mitchell | $89,906 |
| 5 | Aberdeen | $89,756 |
| 6 | Pierre | $88,734 |
| 7 | Brookings | $87,257 |
| 8 | Vermillion | $87,235 |
| 9 | Huron | $87,100 |
| 10 | Rapid City | $74,550 |
| 11 | Sioux Falls | $71,670 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore speech-language pathologist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced speech-language pathologists.
Explore More Speech-Language Pathologist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do speech-language pathologists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for speech-language pathologists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota speech-language pathologist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level speech-language pathologist salary in South Dakota?
How many speech-language pathologists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for speech-language pathologists?
Written by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP
Career Analyst
Jordan has over 8 years of experience in speech-language pathology. He specializes in pediatric language disorders. He works in a community health clinic.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 speech-language pathologist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more speech-language pathologistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for speech-language pathologists (SOC 29-1127).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CCC-SLP, a licensed speech-language pathologist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov