SIOUX FALLS, SD (KELO) — It is well known that teaching is among the lowest-paying professions in the country. But there have actually been some positive changes in South Dakota.

“All school districts are increasing teacher salaries, and that’s fantastic progress,” said Kyle Kopplin, a research fellow at the Dakota Institute. “Teacher salaries in South Dakota have historically been in the 40s nationally. Therefore, every positive growth is good growth.”

Accordingly Research by economist Kyle Kopplin for the Dakota InstituteThe average salary for public teachers in South Dakota in 2023 was $53,200. Average overall compensation, including benefits and salary, reached $68,500.

When it comes to starting fees, Kopplin broke them down by region. The highest starting salary was $53,588 at Oglala Lakota School District in Pine Ridge, and the lowest starting salary was $35,000 at Elk Mountain School District in Edgemont, South Dakota.

“We’ve had a lot of inflation over the last six years,” Kopplin said. “So even the year-over-year increase in teacher salaries hasn’t kept pace with inflation, even in South Dakota. So, although there were gains in every district, I was surprised that some districts did not progress as much as others.”

Kopplin’s research also found that the average starting wage for teachers is generally higher in South Dakota than in neighboring states such as Montana, Nebraska and Iowa.

“The fact that South Dakota has higher starting salaries than some of our neighbors seems to me to be a deliberate effort to attract qualified teachers, or at least teachers who show significant promise after completing their education,” Kopplin said.

In the last legislative session, The bill passed states that Beginning July 1, 2026, each public school district must pay each full-time teacher a salary at least equal to the state minimum wage; which is $45,000.