Physical Therapist Salary in Sioux Falls, SD: $93,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Sioux Falls, SD earns a median $93,720/year (≈ $45.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Sioux Falls's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.6), that paycheck buys what $103,408 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Physical therapy is a growing field in Sioux Falls, SD, with a median annual salary of $93,720 projected for 2026, reflecting a competitive market despite being about 10.99% lower than the national median of $105,288. The salary range for physical therapists in the area spans from $79,806 at the 10th percentile to $110,216 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant variance based on experience and practice setting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates that outpatient orthopedic clinics, such as those operated by major chains, generally offer lower starting salaries than hospital systems. However, they may provide avenues for performance bonuses tied to productivity metrics, influencing overall earnings.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,806 | $38.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $84,519 | $40.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,720 | $45.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,058 | $50.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,216 | $52.98 |
Median Salary Position
10.99% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sioux Falls
In Sioux Falls, SD, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,410 (2026 est.). At $93,720, the local median is 10.99% below the national median of $105,288.
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At 40 hours/week in Sioux Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sioux Falls Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Sioux Falls median: $93,720/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sioux Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $97,727 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -10.99% less |
Physical Therapists in Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $93,720 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.99% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $97,727.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sioux Falls has a cost of living 9.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sioux Falls, SD has a cost-of-living index of 90.631 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $93,720 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $103,408 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$72,460
2025 BLS Actual
$91,470
2026 Current Est.
$93,720
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $72,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $73,810 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $84,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $89,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,470 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,026 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sioux Falls metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 26.2% from $72,460 (2019) to $91,470 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,566 (32.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sioux Falls 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) | $79,806 – $84,519 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $84,519 – $93,720 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,720 – $104,058 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,058 – $110,216 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Sioux Falls
With approximately 460 physical therapists actively practicing in Sioux Falls, the local job market offers a robust ecosystem for employment. The cost of living index stands at 90.631, which is below the national average, implying that take-home pay for physical therapists can stretch further in terms of purchasing power. Among the various employers, outpatient clinics, particularly large franchises, typically offer lower salaries than skilled nursing facilities or hospital inpatient rehab units, which often present higher pay due to different service demands. Factors affecting the wide pay spectrum include productivity expectations, especially the number of units billed per visit, and additional stipends for board certifications like OCS or SCS. Physical therapists can maximize their earning potential in this market by pursuing specialization and considering shifts in practice models, such as transitioning to cash-based services where feasible.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Sioux Falls, SD in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Sioux Falls?
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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 $91,470 for physical therapistsin the Sioux Falls 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
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