SOC 31-2011 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Occupational Therapy Assistants — South Dakota
South Dakota · 1 metro areas compared
In South Dakota the median wage is $56,180.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In South Dakota the median wage is $56,180. That is 22.3% lower than the national median of $72,300. Pay ranges from under $40,110 at the tenth percentile to more than $72,800 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $48,470 to $59,670.
The area has 100 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.65 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. South Dakota ranks number 49th out of 50 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Sioux Falls records the highest median at $56,180. Of the 563 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 261st.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,110 | −44.5% |
| 25th | $48,470 | −33.0% |
| Median (50th) | $56,180 | −22.3% |
| 75th | $59,670 | −17.5% |
| 90th | $72,800 | +0.7% |
| Mean | $55,470 | −23.3% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sioux Falls | $56,180 | 40 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $56,180 goes as far as $63,409 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 12.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$56,180as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,409US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $56,180 a year, 22.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,110 to $72,800 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 100 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 49th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Sioux Falls, at $56,180.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Occupational Therapy Assistants in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $56,180, or $27.01 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $72,300, so pay in South Dakota is 22.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in South Dakota earns more than $72,800 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,110 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Sioux Falls, at $56,180 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 100 jobs in this occupation in South Dakota. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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