Physical Therapist Salary in Spearfish, SD: $93,685 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time physical therapist in Spearfish, SD earns a median $93,685/year (≈ $45.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1123). Once you factor in Spearfish's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $100,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, physical therapists in Spearfish, South Dakota, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $93,685. The compensation range extends from $71,481 at the 10th percentile to $112,889 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various factors affecting earnings such as experience, specialization, and employment setting. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local cost of living considerations. When compared to the national median salary of $105,288, the physical therapist salary in Spearfish falls short by about 11.02%, demonstrating the impact of regional dynamics on local pay levels. This context is crucial for prospective professionals entering this active job market, as understanding pay structures can aid in negotiating fair compensation.
About the Spearfish Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($86,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,481 | $34.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $83,668 | $40.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $93,685 | $45.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,687 | $50.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,889 | $54.27 |
Median Salary Position
11.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Spearfish
In Spearfish, SD, the physical therapist salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,408 (2026 est.). At $93,685, the local median is 11.02% below the national median of $105,288.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Spearfish: You'd be above the median
How Spearfish Physical Therapist Pay Compares
Spearfish median: $93,685/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Spearfish Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $97,691 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $105,288 | -11.02% less |
Physical Therapists in Spearfish, SD earn a median of $93,685 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.02% lower than the national median of $105,288 and 4.10% below the South Dakota state average of $97,691.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Spearfish 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.
Spearfish, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A physical therapist earning $93,685 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $100,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$79,584
2025 BLS Actual
$91,436
2026 Current Est.
$93,685
2019–2027 Growth
+20.6%
Salary Trajectory for Physical Therapists in Spearfish (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.46% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $79,584 | Actual |
| 2020 | $80,981 | Actual |
| 2021 | $85,083 | Actual |
| 2022 | $86,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $88,722 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,523 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $93,685 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $95,990 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Spearfish metropolitan area, the median physical therapist salary grew 14.9% from $79,584 (2019) to $91,436 (2025). At a 2.46% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $95,990 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,406 (20.61%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Spearfish 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) | $71,481 – $83,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $83,668 – $93,685 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $93,685 – $105,687 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,687 – $112,889 |
PT salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual physical therapist compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Physical Therapist Job Market in Spearfish
The local job market for physical therapists in Spearfish currently employs just five professionals, indicating a relatively small pool that can lead to individual opportunity. With a cost-of-living index of 92.8, life in Spearfish can feel more affordable compared to many national benchmarks, but this also affects take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Among potential employers, outpatient orthopedic clinics may offer competitive salaries augmented by productivity bonuses, whereas hospital inpatient rehab facilities may provide higher base pay due to their varied service demands. Factors such as visits-per-day expectations, board specialty certifications, clinic ownership, and whether one operates under a cash-pay model versus insurance can significantly influence compensation trends. For physical therapists aiming to enhance earnings in Spearfish, focusing on acquiring board certifications like OCS or SCS and actively seeking roles in high-demand facilities can be effective strategies to maximize income potential in a competitive environment.
More salary data for Spearfish, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do physical therapists make in Spearfish, SD in 2026?
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Can physical therapists make $100K in Spearfish?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted physical therapist salary in Spearfish?
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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 $91,436 for physical therapistsin the Spearfish 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 Spearfish 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