Benchmark Salary Information

  • The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Rapid City is 320.
  • Substance Abuse Counselors in Rapid City earn an average of $46,470 per year or $22.34 per hour.
  • The percentage of South Dakota Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Rapid City is less than 1%.
  • The percentage of U.S. Substance Abuse Counselors who work in Rapid City is less than 1%.

Rankings for Rapid City

  • Ranks #1 in South Dakota for salary and #2 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #2 in South Dakota for the number of psychologists employed.
  • Ranks #360 in the nation for salary and #243 when adjusted for cost-of-living.
  • Ranks #180 in the nation for the number of psychologists employed.

Compared to South Dakota

Rapid City Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,470 or $22.34 per hour which is 2% more than the South Dakota average salary of $45,410.

AverageRapid CitySouth Dakota% Difference
Hourly Wage$22.34$21.832.34%
Annual Salary$46,470$45,4102.33%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Compared to the U.S.

Rapid City Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,470 or $22.34 per hour which is 13% less than the U.S. average salary of $53,490.

AverageRapid CityU.S.%
Hourly Wage$22.34$25.72-13.14%
Annual Salary$46,470$53,490-13.12%
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Adjusted for Cost-of-Living

When adjusted for cost-of-living, Substance Abuse Counselors in Rapid City earns an average annual salary of $50,119 which compares to the South Dakota average annual salary of $45,410. per year.

Cost-of-living in Rapid City is 7% less than the South Dakota average, which means Rapid City residents have an overall less cost for food, housing, utilities and transportation compared to South Dakota average.

  • South Dakota average salary is $45,410.
  • South Dakota cost-of-living adjusted salary is $49,618.
  • Rapid City average salary is $46,470.
  • Rapid City cost-of-living adjusted salary is $50,119.
LocationAverage Annual WageCost of LivingAdjusted COL Wage
Rapid City$46,47092.72%$50,119
South Dakota$45,41091.52%$49,618
U.S.$53,490$53,490
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Ranges for Education and Experience

In Rapid City, 50% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn between $37,610 and $49,130 a year, depending on factors such as level of education, experience, location and place of employment.

About 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn more than $62,670, which is a rate for highly skilled, experienced and educated Substance Abuse Counselors.

Approximately 10% of Substance Abuse Counselors earn under $36,650, a rate generally reserved for less experienced or entry level Substance Abuse Counselors.

PercentExperienceEmployedAnnual Salary
10%Less than a Year32Under $36,650
15%2 – 4 years48$36,650 – $37,610
25%5 – 9 years80$37,610 – $46,420
25%10 – 14 years80$46,420 – $49,130
15%15 – 20 years48$46,420 – $62,670
10%20+ years32Above $62,670
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

Salary Compared to Related Professions

With an average annual salary of $46,470, Rapid City Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn less than Health Care Social Workers ($50,010).

However, Substance Abuse Counselors tend to earn more than Social Workers ($44,420).

TitleAnnual Salary
Health Care Social Workers$50,010
Substance Abuse Counselors$46,470
Social Workers$44,420
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Department of Commerce – 2022*

FAQ for Rapid City Substance Abuse Counselors

The number of Substance Abuse Counselors currently employed in Rapid City is 320.

Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $46,470 per year or $22.34 per hour in Rapid City.

When adjusted for Cost of Living in Rapid City Substance Abuse Counselors earn an average of $50,119 per year or $24 per hour.

The types of psychologists that are paid the highest annual salary in Rapid City are Health Care Social Workers($50,010), Substance Abuse Counselors($46,470), Social Workers($44,420).


Additional Salary Reports for Substance Abuse Counselors in South Dakota cities and Metros and U.S. States.

Official Data Sources for Substance Abuse Counselors: Salary Data | Projected Employment | Cost of Living Data