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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Mental Health Worker in South Dakota is $38,619 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $19.
However, a Mental Health Worker's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Mental Health Worker Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $42,476 | $3,540 | $817 | $20 |
| Average | $38,619 | $3,218 | $743 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,844 | $2,904 | $670 | $17 |
Capital Area Counseling Service - Pierre, SD
Youth & Family Services - Rapid City, SD
NOCD - Sioux Falls, SD
Helpline Center, Inc - Sioux Falls, SD
A Mental Health Worker's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Mental Health Worker's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here’s how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Mental He... Level Mental Health Worker | $38,881 |
| Behaviora... Level Mental Health Worker | $84,249 |
| Behaviora... Level Mental Health Worker | $97,587 |
| Behaviora... Level Mental Health Worker | $129,520 |
| VP of Beh... Level Mental Health Worker | $160,303 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Mental Health Workers. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
For Mental Health Worker roles, the industry you choose can impact your earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the highest-paying industry, Insurance, offers compensation 20% above the average. Conversely, Mental Health Worker positions in Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit typically offer lower base pay, as this sector often view Mental Health Worker as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insurance | $46,342 | $22.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Mental Health Worker's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $42,476 | $3,540 | $817 | $20 |
| Average | $38,619 | $3,218 | $743 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,844 | $2,904 | $670 | $17 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Mental Health Worker job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Headway
Watertown, SD
Headway | Watertown, SD
Join Headway, a pioneering organization in mental health services dedicated to transforming the accessibility and delivery of mental health care. At Headwa... more
15 Days Ago
Headway
Brookings, SD
Headway | Brookings, SD
Join Headway, a pioneering organization in mental health services dedicated to transforming the accessibility and delivery of mental health care. At Headwa... more
15 Days Ago
Headway
Aberdeen, SD
Headway | Aberdeen, SD
Join Headway, a pioneering organization in mental health services dedicated to transforming the accessibility and delivery of mental health care. At Headwa... more
15 Days Ago
Headway
Brookings, SD
Headway | Brookings, SD
Headway, a pioneer in mental health services, is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) to join our team. At Headway... more
15 Days Ago
Headway
Sioux Falls, SD
Headway | Sioux Falls, SD
Headway, a pioneer in mental health services, is seeking a dedicated and compassionate Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) to join our team. At Headway... more
15 Days Ago
Headway
Sioux Falls, SD
Headway | Sioux Falls, SD
Headway is at the forefront of mental health care innovation, dedicated to making therapy accessible and affordable through our advanced platform that conn... more
15 Days Ago
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