SD Average teacher pay 46th in the nation according to new report

South Dakota’s average teacher pay is ranked 46 in the nation according to the annual teacher salary report released by the National Education Association. That means on average South Dakota teacher’s earn $56,328. The state has fallen well short of its target average teacher salary, which would be $62,821 by 2025. If the state hit its goal South Dakota would rank 38^th in the nation in average teacher pay. Lawmakers have attempted to address this shortfall by passing legislation in 2024, setting a minimum teacher salary and mandating increases.