Physical Therapist Salary in South Dakota: $94,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Dakota's 11 metropolitan areas, the average median physical therapist pay sits at $94,366/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1123. Because South Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.8 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $101,688 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rapid City ($94,120), Watertown ($91,694), Yankton ($91,665).
In 2026, the average median salary for physical therapists in South Dakota is projected to be $94,366, which is 10.4% lower than the national median of $105,288. The highest salaries are found in Rapid City at $96,435, while Huron offers the lowest at $90,106, creating a salary gap of $6,329 between these cities. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, local demand for services, and the availability of healthcare facilities. In South Dakota, physical therapists must adhere to state licensing requirements and are governed by specific scope of practice laws, which can affect salary and job opportunities. The demand for physical therapy services is being driven by an aging population and increased emphasis on rehabilitation following injuries. With a projected growth rate of 2.46% in the physical therapy field, job opportunities are expected to be stable. The state's total employment of 695 physical therapists highlights a relatively small but essential workforce. Key cities for employment include Watertown at $93,950, Yankton at $93,920, Sioux Falls at $93,720, and Spearfish at $93,685, reflecting a concentrated field of professionals across a few urban areas.
South Dakota Physical Therapist Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Dakota: $69,678 (lowest entry-level) to $118,044 (highest top earner)
South Dakota vs National Average
South Dakota physical therapists earn 10.37% less than the national median ($-10,922/year difference).
South Dakota Physical Therapist Salary Distribution (2026)
Physical Therapist salaries in South Dakota range from $79,814 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $112,577 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $94,366. The South Dakota median is $10,922 below the US national median of $105,288. The average hourly rate is $45.37/hr. Approximately 695 physical therapists are employed across 11 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$74,813
2025 BLS Actual
$92,100
2026 Current Est.
$94,366
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in South Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,813 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,884 | Actual |
| 2021 | $82,004 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,038 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,147 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,619 | Actual |
| 2025 | $92,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Dakota metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 23.1% from $74,813 (2019) to $92,100 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,874 (29.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Dakota metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.46% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in South Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in South Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Huron | $90,106 |
| Vermillion | $90,247 |
| Brookings | $90,268 |
| Pierre | $91,797 |
| Aberdeen | $92,853 |
Best Value Cities for Physical Therapists in South Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for physical therapists.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | $96,435 | 89.16 | $108,159 |
| Sioux Falls | $93,720 | 90.631 | $103,408 |
| Watertown | $93,950 | 92.8 | $101,239 |
| Yankton | $93,920 | 92.8 | $101,207 |
| Spearfish | $93,685 | 92.8 | $100,954 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $79,814 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $94,366 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $112,577 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 11 Cities in South Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rapid City | $96,435 |
| 2 | Watertown | $93,950 |
| 3 | Yankton | $93,920 |
| 4 | Sioux Falls | $93,720 |
| 5 | Spearfish | $93,685 |
| 6 | Mitchell | $93,009 |
| 7 | Aberdeen | $92,853 |
| 8 | Pierre | $91,797 |
| 9 | Brookings | $90,268 |
| 10 | Vermillion | $90,247 |
| 11 | Huron | $90,106 |
More South Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore physical therapist hourly pay in South Dakota cities.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced physical therapists.
Explore More Physical Therapist Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in South Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for physical therapists in South Dakota?
How does South Dakota physical therapist pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level physical therapist salary in South Dakota?
How many physical therapists are employed in South Dakota?
Which South Dakota city offers the best value for physical therapists?
Written by Alex Morgan, DPT
Career Analyst
Alex Morgan has over 10 years of experience in physical therapy. They specialize in orthopedic rehabilitation. Alex works in a private practice setting.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 physical therapist compensation across South Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 11 metro areas — larger metro areas with more physical therapistscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.46%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for physical therapists (SOC 29-1123).
Compiled and verified by Alex Morgan, DPT, a licensed physical therapist with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov