Physical Therapist Salary in Pierre, SD: $91,797 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Pierre, SD earns a median $91,797/year (≈ $44.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Pierre's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $98,919 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Pierre, South Dakota, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $91,797. This figure represents a notable contrast to the national median of $105,288, reflecting a regional market that may challenge some professionals, especially with the rising trend of cash-pay models in sports and orthopedic practices pushing top-end salaries higher. Salaries for physical therapists in Pierre can range from $69,678 at the 10th percentile to $115,695 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, suggest a stable market for health professionals, although the disparity between the lower and upper salary ranges highlights varying demand and practice settings across the city.
About the Pierre Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $69,678 | $33.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $81,718 | $39.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $91,797 | $44.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,701 | $51.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,695 | $55.63 |
Median Salary Position
12.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pierre
In Pierre, SD, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,017 (2026 est.). At $91,797, the local median is 12.81% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pierre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pierre Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Pierre median: $91,797/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pierre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $97,656 | -6.00% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -12.81% less |
Physical Therapists in Pierre, SD earn a median of $91,797 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.81% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 6.00% below the South Dakota state average of $97,656.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pierre 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.
Pierre, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $91,797 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $98,919 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,980
2025 BLS Actual
$89,593
2026 Current Est.
$91,797
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Pierre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $79,349 | Actual |
| 2021 | $83,368 | Actual |
| 2022 | $85,199 | Actual |
| 2023 | $86,934 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,981 | Actual |
| 2025 | $89,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,797 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,055 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pierre metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $77,980 (2019) to $89,593 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $94,055 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,075 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pierre 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) | $69,678 – $81,718 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $81,718 – $91,797 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $91,797 – $106,701 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,701 – $115,695 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Pierre
The job market for physical therapists in Pierre includes only four employed professionals, indicating a relatively small workforce. The cost of living index, currently at 92.8, suggests that while salaries may be lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains competitive for residents. Facilities such as outpatient orthopedic clinics and sports medicine centers tend to offer the most lucrative opportunities, where specialized skills and certifications like OCS and SCS can further enhance earning potential. Factors such as productivity metrics, clinic ownership stakes, and whether practitioners work in cash-pay settings versus traditional insurance-based models significantly influence salary disparities. For those working in this area, focusing on specialization and maximizing patient visit efficiency can be advantageous strategies to improve overall compensation in Pierre, SD.
More salary data for Pierre, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Pierre, SD in 2026?
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Pierre?
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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 $89,593 for physical therapistsin the Pierre 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 Pierre 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