Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary Salary
The median pay for a philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in South Dakota is $58,000/year, per BLS data. The range runs from $41K at the entry level to $82K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.89), which stretches that salary to about $64,523 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,017/month, or 25.2% of estimated take-home pay.
Statewide average. This is an aggregate across all of South Dakota. BLS does not publish metro-level data for this occupation in this state.
So what does $58K get you in South Dakota?
About philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries
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What this looks like in South Dakota
Pay for philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary in South Dakota runs about 28% below the U.S. median of $80K. Rent runs $1,017/month for a 2-bedroom (HUD FMR), taking 25.1% 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries (10th percentile) start around $41K. Mid-career wages sit at $58K. Top earners bring in $82K or more, a $41K spread from bottom to top.
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Track philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary afford a 2BR apartment alone in South Dakota?
Yes — at the median salary of $58K, rent takes 25.1% 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries in South Dakota?
The 10th-percentile wage — what new philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries typically earn — is $41K/year. Take-home on that works out to about $2,489/month. At HUD’s $1,017/month FMR, rent would take 41% of that take-home — above the 30% guideline, so a 1-bedroom or shared housing is likely necessary starting out.
Is philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary a high-paying job in South Dakota?
Local pay runs 28% below the national median — $58K here vs. $80K 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries?
South Dakota pays $58K median vs. the U.S. average of $80K — that’s -28%. After adjusting for local cost of living (RPP 89.89), the purchasing-power equivalent is $65K — below the national median.
How much do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries make in South Dakota?
The median is $58,000 a year. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $41,480, and experienced philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries can clear $82,160. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $58K enough to live in South Dakota?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,053/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,017/month, which eats 25.1% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary 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 philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary salary is worth about $64,523 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondaries 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.