Physical Therapist Aide salary in South Dakota
Physical Therapist Aides in South Dakota earn a median of $31,330 a year ($15.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $24,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,770 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $35,240. South Dakota ranks 34th of 50 states for physical therapist aides pay. There are 0.16 physical therapist aides per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $33,890, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist aides in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $24,010 | $11.54 |
| 25th percentile | $30,590 | $14.71 |
| Median | $31,330 | $15.06 |
| 75th percentile | $42,070 | $20.23 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $44,770 | $21.52 |
| Average (mean) | $33,890 | $16.29 |
Half of physical therapist aides 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 | $2,610.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,305.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,205 |
| Weekly | $602.50 |
| Hourly | $15.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist Aide salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $30,590 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist aides
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $55,760 |
| Minnesota | $42,330 |
| Colorado | $41,970 |
| New Hampshire | $40,460 |
| Maine | $39,660 |
| Washington | $39,500 |
| District of Columbia | $38,950 |
| Montana | $38,950 |
| California | $38,330 |
| North Dakota | $37,680 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapist Assistant | $49,310 | $23.71 |
| Occupational Therapy Assistant | $56,180 | $27.01 |
| Nursing Assistant | $38,800 | $18.65 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $37,740 | $18.15 |
| Medical Assistant | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,900 | $23.03 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $42,330 | $20.35 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,560 | $19.02 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,610 | $21.45 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $34,700 | $16.68 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $46,070 | $22.15 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,000 | $25.00 |
| Pharmacy Aide | $36,130 | $17.37 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2022. 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 physical therapist aide make in South Dakota?
The median salary for physical therapist aides in South Dakota is $31,330 a year, or $15.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $24,010 for the lowest-paid 10% to $44,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist aides make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of physical therapist aides in South Dakota earn at least $44,770 a year. The top 25% earn $42,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist aides in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $24,010 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist aides earn $30,590 or less.
How many physical therapist aides work in South Dakota?
About 70 physical therapist aides are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.