South Dakota · Career guide
How to become a Substitute Teacher in South Dakota
Substitute teachers fill in for absent classroom teachers on a daily, weekly, or long-term basis. The role has the lowest barrier to entry of any teaching position in most states — many require only a high-school diploma + background check + state-issued substitute permit. Pay is typically per-diem ($110-$200/day depending on the state and district), making it a flexible path into the profession.
No substitute teaching positions are open in South Dakota right now — set up an alert and we'll notify you when new postings are scraped.
Certification path in South Dakota
- Earn a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution. Most candidates complete a teacher-preparation program either as part of their undergraduate studies or as a post-baccalaureate add-on.
- Pass the required exams. South Dakota typically requires:
- Praxis Core Academic Skills (or qualifying ACT/SAT/GRE scores) — Basic reading, writing, and mathematics
- Praxis Subject Assessments — Content knowledge for your certification area
Substitute permits are state-issued and have minimal educational requirements. Long-term substitutes (30+ days in one assignment) sometimes need additional approval.
- Apply for your initial license through South Dakota Department of Education. The packet typically includes official transcripts, exam scores, a background check, and (depending on the state) a recommendation from the teacher-prep program. Visit South Dakota Department of Education →
- Job-search in South Dakota. We'll track substitute teaching openings as districts post them; set up an alert to be notified immediately when new positions go live.
Alternative pathways in South Dakota
If you didn't follow the traditional university-route, South Dakota offers these alternate paths that may apply to your situation:
- Alternative Certificate: For those with subject-area degrees employed by a district while completing pedagogy coursework
- Career and Technical Education endorsements
- Emergency Certificate for critical shortage areas
South Dakota salary context
Average teacher salary in South Dakota: $52,050/year (rank #47 nationally). Entry-level pay with a bachelor's typically starts at $35,000/year.
Role-specific premiums vary by district — special education, STEM, and bilingual roles frequently command signing bonuses or stipends. See the full South Dakota salary guide for the breakdown.