Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers Salary
The median pay for a mental health and substance abuse social workers in South Dakota is $48,920/year ($23.52/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $39K at the entry level to $74K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $54,422 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 28.9% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across South Dakota. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $49K get you in South Dakota?
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What this looks like in South Dakota
Pay for mental health and substance abuse social workers in South Dakota runs about 19% below the U.S. median of $60K. Rent runs $1,017/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 29.5% of the median take-home. That's within the 30% rule, though not by much. Regional Price Parity sits at 89.89 (national = 100), meaning everyday costs run about 10% cheaper here. Your dollar stretches further than the headline salary suggests. Use the affordability calculator above to model your specific situation.
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, South Dakota
Entry-level mental health and substance abuse social workers (10th percentile) start around $39K. Mid-career wages sit at $49K. Top earners bring in $74K or more, a $34K spread from bottom to top.
Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers salary by metro in South Dakota
2 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $59K | +20% | 80 |
| Rapid City | $44K | -10% | 50 |
Compare to other states
Track mental health and substance abuse social workers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when South Dakota numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
Can a mental health and substance abuse social worker afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $49K, rent takes 29.5% of take-home pay. A 2-bedroom at the HUD Fair Market Rent runs $1,017/month. That stays under the 30% guideline most financial planners use.
What’s the entry-level salary for mental health and substance abuse social workers in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new mental health and substance abuse social workers typically earn — is $39K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,354/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 43% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is mental health and substance abuse social worker a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Local pay runs 19% below the national median — $49K here vs. $60K nationally. Cost of living is 10% below the national average, which narrows that gap in real purchasing power.
How does South Dakota compare to the national average for mental health and substance abuse social workers?
South Dakota pays $49K median vs. the U.S. average of $60K — that’s -19%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $54K — below the national median.
How much do mental health and substance abuse social workers make in South Dakota?
The median is $48,920 a year, that works out to about $24 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $39,230, and experienced mental health and substance abuse social workers can clear $73,610. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $49K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,446/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 29.5% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a mental health and substance abuse social workers salary go in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a Regional Price Parity of 89.89 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median mental health and substance abuse social workers salary is worth about $54,422 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do mental health and substance abuse social workers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.