SIOUX FALLS, S.D.(SD Searchlight)- South Dakota ranks 46th in the nation in a new report on average teacher salaries, the same as last year.

The state’s standing is its highest since the National Education Association started ranking states in 1943, according to the South Dakota Education Association.

South Dakota’s average teacher salary during the 2024-25 school year increased to $58,486 — a 3.8% increase from $56,328 in last year’s report. The increase outpaced the 2024 inflation rate of about 2.9%.

South Dakota lawmakers approved a 4% increase in education funding in 2024, 1.25% in 2025, and 1.4% this year. Education advocates warned the slight increase this year could cause teacher pay to fall behind inflation and drag South Dakota’s ranking down in next year’s report.