Counseling Degree Programs in Rapid City, SD (2026)
Quick answer: The Rapid City metro employs about 350 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025), and licensing is set at the state level, through your state counseling or behavioral health licensing board.
Licensing
Licensing is a state matter, not a city one. Counselors are licensed by state boards, and both the licence title and the required supervised post-graduate hours differ from state to state. The national reference points are CACREP accreditation of the graduate program and the National Counselor Examination administered by NBCC. Substance use disorder counseling is usually a separate state credential tier that can be reached earlier than full clinical licensure.
See the South Dakota licensing and pay overview for the statewide picture, and confirm current requirements with your state counseling or behavioral health licensing board.
Schools Near You
Schools in our database near this area, ranked by BOC Score. The list favors schools with a related program on record, but program availability and delivery format change, so confirm directly with any school that it currently offers the program you want.
We do not have campus-based schools on record within 250 miles of this area right now. School availability changes as programs open and close, and many programs in this field enroll online - see the main program page for options that are not tied to your location. Know a school we missed? Tell us.
What Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors Earn in Rapid City
Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors in the Rapid City area earn a median $47,620 per year, below the national median of $59,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Counseling Pay in Rapid City, SD
| Metric | Rapid City metro | South Dakota | National |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual wage | $47,620 | $53,650 | $59,350 |
| 10th percentile | $39,210 | $39,210 | $38,940 |
| 25th percentile | $41,340 | $45,650 | $47,100 |
| 75th percentile | $58,820 | $62,660 | $76,530 |
| 90th percentile | $73,220 | $67,010 | $97,590 |
| Employment | 350 | 1,710 | 491,930 |
| Location quotient | 1.49 | - | 1.00 |
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2025. Metro figures cover the Rapid City, SD metropolitan statistical area.
What the Numbers Say About This Market
The Rapid City median of $47,620 is below the national median of $59,350, and below the South Dakota statewide median of $53,650 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
The metro’s location quotient of 1.49 means substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors are more concentrated here than in the average U.S. labor market (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Higher concentration generally means more employers competing for the same people, and an easier job change later.
Counseling demand follows local treatment providers, hospital systems, schools and community health organizations.
Other South Dakota Metro Areas
| Metro area | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | $57,080 | 760 |
Figures: BLS OEWS, May 2025.
Wage and employment figures describe the occupation as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, not the graduates of any particular program, and individual outcomes may vary. Licensing rules change; confirm current requirements with the responsible state board before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors make in Rapid City?
The median annual wage for substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $47,620, below the national median of $59,350 (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
How many substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors work in the Rapid City area?
The Rapid City, SD metro area employs about 350 substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors (BLS OEWS, May 2025).
Do substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselors in Rapid City need a license?
Licensing is handled at state level rather than by city. Counselors are licensed by state boards, and both the licence title and the required supervised post-graduate hours differ from state to state. The national reference points are CACREP accreditation of the graduate program and the National Counselor Examination administered by NBCC. Substance use disorder counseling is usually a separate state credential tier that can be reached earlier than full clinical licensure. Confirm current requirements with your state counseling or behavioral health licensing board.
Can I study counseling online from Rapid City?
The academic portion of these programs is widely available online for working adults, while labs, clinical hours or supervised field work are completed in person. Check that the program's accreditation satisfies your state counseling or behavioral health licensing board.
Is Rapid City a better market than the rest of South Dakota?
The Rapid City metro median is $47,620 against a statewide median of $53,650 (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Compare that gap with the difference in living costs before treating it as a raise.
Related
- Counseling degree programs in South Dakota - statewide pay, licensing and metro comparison
- Counseling programs and how to choose one
- Substance Abuse Counselor career profile - the trade career this degree path builds on
- All online degree paths for tradespeople
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 - Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (SOC 21-1018), national, state and metropolitan estimates
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections, 2024-34
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook - education and licensing requirements
About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.