Elementary School Teacher Salary in Pierre, SD: $56,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Pierre, SD earns a median $56,320/year (≈ $27.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $60,690 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, Pierre, South Dakota offers a median annual salary of $56,320 for elementary school teachers, aligning with the city's below-average cost of living index of 92.8. With a salary range spanning from $42,691 at the 10th percentile to $87,295 at the 90th percentile, the compensation structure reflects the regional economic dynamics. These figures, emerging from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, position Pierre's teaching salaries approximately 12.81% lower than the national median of $64,597. Understanding the local salary context is essential for educators considering opportunities in Pierre, as market conditions and cost-of-living factors heavily influence pay scales.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,691 | $20.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,835 | $25.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,320 | $27.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,607 | $33.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,295 | $41.97 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,604 (2026 est.). At $56,320, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Pierre median: $56,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $59,914 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -12.81% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Pierre, SD earn a median of $56,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $59,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $56,320 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,690 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,024
2025 BLS Actual
$55,773
2026 Current Est.
$56,320
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,131 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,532 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,785 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,337 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,773 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,872 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 7.2% from $52,024 (2019) to $55,773 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,872 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,848 (9.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $42,691 – $53,835 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,835 – $56,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,320 – $70,607 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,607 – $87,295 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Pierre
The job market in Pierre currently employs 4 elementary school teachers, providing limited competition and potential stability for teachers in this area. While the cost of living remains relatively low, making teachable salaries more effective, educators can expect disparities in pay depending on their qualifications, experience, and performance in the classroom. K-12 public school districts and local charter schools like KIPP are among the largest employers in the region, with pay scales structured around a step-and-lane system. In addition, educators specializing in areas of high demand, such as special education or STEM, might benefit from additional stipends boosting their earnings. Strategies that maximize compensation include pursuing advanced degrees, obtaining National Board Certification, and engaging in summer school or after-school programs.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,773 for elementary school teachersin the Pierre metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Pierre is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov