Physical Therapist Salary in Brookings, SD: $90,268 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Brookings, SD earns a median $90,268/year (≈ $43.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $97,272 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapist salaries in Brookings, South Dakota, reflect a local median of $90,268, which is noticeably lower than the national average of $105,288, representing a deficit of 14.27%. The salary range spans from $73,643 at the 10th percentile to $110,945 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape. These figures are adjusted for regional price differences, emphasizing the financial dynamics that influence earning potential in this market. As employers increasingly stress productivity, the effective hourly compensation for physical therapists working in Brookings can fluctuate based on visits-per-day expectations, creating both pressure and opportunity for those in the field.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $73,643 | $35.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $78,498 | $37.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $90,268 | $43.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,176 | $49.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,945 | $53.34 |
Median Salary Position
14.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,302 (2026 est.). At $90,268, the local median is 14.27% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookings Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Brookings median: $90,268/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $97,693 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -14.27% less |
Physical Therapists in Brookings, SD earn a median of $90,268 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.27% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $97,693.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brookings, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $90,268 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,272 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,681
2025 BLS Actual
$88,101
2026 Current Est.
$90,268
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,681 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,027 | Actual |
| 2021 | $81,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $83,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $85,486 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,732 | Actual |
| 2025 | $88,101 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $90,268 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $92,489 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $76,681 (2019) to $88,101 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $92,489 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,808 (20.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $73,643 – $78,498 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $78,498 – $90,268 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $90,268 – $103,176 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,176 – $110,945 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Brookings
In terms of job availability, there are currently only four physical therapists employed in the Brookings area, which suggests a relatively limited market size. The cost-of-living index stands at 92.8, making it crucial for professionals to examine their net income against local living expenses when evaluating physical therapist pay in Brookings, SD. Private practices specializing in outpatient orthopedic care, such as those under larger chains like ATI or Athletico, may not offer the highest rates compared to hospital systems but often provide productivity bonuses that can augment overall earnings. Variability in salaries here is significantly influenced by factors such as the number of patient visits per day, board certification stipends, and the nature of the practice model (cash-pay versus insurance). To maximize compensation in this market, physical therapists should focus on enhancing their productivity metrics, consider obtaining specialized certifications, and explore opportunities with organizations that value both quality care and financial incentives.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Brookings, SD in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Brookings?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $88,101 for physical therapistsin the Brookings metropolitan area. A 2.46% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Brookings is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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