Salaries at USD

At the University of South Dakota (USD), located in Vermillion, South Dakota, salary expectations for faculty and staff are typically determined by a combination of role, academic rank, experience, and field of expertise. Salaries often vary significantly between disciplines, with higher compensation in fields like medicine, law, and business compared to humanities or social sciences. Additionally, seniority and tenure status play a critical role in determining pay for academic positions. While USD does not widely publish transparent salary bands for all roles, some data may be accessible through state employee salary databases or university reports, as USD is a public institution subject to South Dakota's transparency laws.

• Assistant Professor: Typical salary range is $50,000–$65,000 USD per year, depending on the department. Entry-level roles may start lower, with potential increases based on research output and teaching evaluations.
• Associate Professor: Average salary range is $65,000–$80,000 USD annually. Mid-career faculty often see raises tied to tenure and additional responsibilities like committee leadership.
• Full Professor: Salaries typically range from $80,000–$110,000 USD per year. Seniority, publication record, and external research funding can push compensation higher.
• Administrative Staff (e.g., Program Coordinator): Salaries generally fall between $40,000–$55,000 USD annually, influenced by experience and scope of responsibilities.
• Department Chair: Compensation ranges from $90,000–$120,000 USD per year, often including stipends for leadership duties alongside base faculty pay.

Salaries at the University of South Dakota are generally competitive within the region, particularly when benchmarked against other public universities in the Midwest. As a state-funded institution, USD aligns its compensation with public sector standards, which may result in slower salary progression compared to private universities. However, benefits such as retirement plans and health insurance add to the overall compensation package. Faculty and staff may also have opportunities for salary growth through grants, additional teaching assignments, or administrative promotions, though such opportunities depend on budget constraints and institutional priorities.