As of January 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Entry Level Counselor in South Dakota is $46,009, equivalent to $22 per hour, $885 weekly, or $3,834 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Entry Level Counselor in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Entry Level Counselor in South Dakota vary widely, spanning from $38,169 to $55,678. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($41,905) and 75th percentile ($51,070), while top earners (90th percentile) make $55,678 per year. This $9,165 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Planning or Child Development, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, South Dakota Entry Level Counselor often earn 9.1% lower than national averages due to demand from Fortune 33 companies. However, South Dakota currently ranks 48 nationwide for Entry Level Counselor job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like Edu., Gov't. & Nonprofit to offset market challenges.
