Pharmacist salary in South Dakota
Pharmacists in South Dakota earn a median of $146,790 a year ($70.57 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $112,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,340 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $140,910. South Dakota ranks 13th of 51 states for pharmacists pay. There are 2.8 pharmacists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $142,330, close to the median.
Pay range for pharmacists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $112,200 | $53.94 |
| 25th percentile | $131,950 | $63.44 |
| Median | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| 75th percentile | $155,260 | $74.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $166,340 | $79.97 |
| Average (mean) | $142,330 | $68.43 |
Half of pharmacists earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,232.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,116.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,645.77 |
| Weekly | $2,822.88 |
| Hourly | $70.57 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Pharmacist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $148,330 | 690 |
| Rapid City, SD | $140,340 | 210 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $139,600 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for pharmacists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $167,310 |
| Oregon | $165,960 |
| California | $164,610 |
| Hawaii | $163,220 |
| Washington | $160,610 |
| Minnesota | $159,740 |
| Colorado | $156,030 |
| District of Columbia | $153,400 |
| Delaware | $152,880 |
| Wisconsin | $148,740 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $128,840 | $61.94 |
| Physician Assistant | $133,200 | $64.04 |
| Dental Hygienist | $92,210 | $44.33 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,970 | $115.37 |
| Occupational Therapist | $85,050 | $40.89 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $65,680 | $31.58 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $263,930 | $126.89 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Veterinarian | $88,650 | $42.62 |
| Chiropractor | $76,210 | $36.64 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1051. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a pharmacist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for pharmacists in South Dakota is $146,790 a year, or $70.57 an hour. Pay ranges from $112,200 for the lowest-paid 10% to $166,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid pharmacists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of pharmacists in South Dakota earn at least $166,340 a year. The top 25% earn $155,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for pharmacists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $112,200 a year, and a quarter of pharmacists earn $131,950 or less.
How many pharmacists work in South Dakota?
About 1,280 pharmacists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.