SOC 31-2021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Physical Therapist Assistants — South Dakota
South Dakota · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay in South Dakota is $49,310 a year, 27.9% under the national median of $68,380 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in South Dakota is $49,310 a year, 27.9% under the national median of $68,380 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $46,910 and $60,050. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,120 and the ninetieth at $63,930.
The area has 300 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.89 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Among the 51 states with published data for this occupation, South Dakota ranks 51st by median wage. Rapid City leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $50,010. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 332nd of 563 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,120 | −41.3% |
| 25th | $46,910 | −31.4% |
| Median (50th) | $49,310 | −27.9% |
| 75th | $60,050 | −12.2% |
| 90th | $63,930 | −6.5% |
| Mean | $52,170 | −23.7% |
Highest-paying metro areas in South Dakota
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $50,010 | 40 | |
| 2 | Sioux Falls | $49,080 | 120 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Dakota run 11.4% below the national average, so the median of $49,310 goes as far as $55,655 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 18.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$49,310as reported by BLSLocal price level
88.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$55,655US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,310 a year, 27.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,120 to $63,930 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 300 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 51st of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Rapid City, at $50,010.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Physical Therapist Assistants in South Dakota?
The median annual wage is $49,310, or $23.71 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 $68,380, so pay in South Dakota is 27.9% 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 $63,930 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,120 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 Rapid City, at $50,010 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 300 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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