Physical Therapist Assistant salary in Rapid City, SD
Physical Therapist Assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $50,010 a year ($24.04 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,050 for the top 10%. That is 27% lower than the national median of $68,380. Pay here is 1% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $49,310. There are 0.52 physical therapist assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.72). The average (mean) salary is $53,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapist assistants in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,170 | $18.35 |
| 25th percentile | $48,340 | $23.24 |
| Median | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| 75th percentile | $59,950 | $28.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,050 | $30.31 |
| Average (mean) | $53,080 | $25.52 |
Half of physical therapist assistants 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 | $4,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,083.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,923.46 |
| Weekly | $961.73 |
| Hourly | $24.04 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $50,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Physical Therapist Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $60,530 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $49,080 | 120 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapist assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $83,110 |
| Massachusetts | $79,460 |
| New Jersey | $78,440 |
| Texas | $78,000 |
| Maryland | $77,670 |
| Alaska | $77,640 |
| Connecticut | $75,880 |
| Nevada | $75,520 |
| Delaware | $74,610 |
| Virginia | $73,760 |
See Physical Therapist Assistant pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Nursing Assistant | $38,500 | $18.51 |
| Home Health and Personal Care Aides | $36,760 | $17.67 |
| Dental Assistant | $47,850 | $23.00 |
| Medical Assistant | $40,690 | $19.56 |
| Medical Equipment Preparer | $45,460 | $21.86 |
| Healthcare Support Workers, All Other | $44,200 | $21.25 |
| Massage Therapist | $52,970 | $25.47 |
| Phlebotomist | $39,720 | $19.10 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $35,640 | $17.14 |
| Medical Transcriptionist | $53,840 | $25.89 |
More: Healthcare Support Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 31-2021. 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 assistant make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for physical therapist assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $50,010 a year, or $24.04 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,170 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,050 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapist assistants make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of physical therapist assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $63,050 a year. The top 25% earn $59,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapist assistants in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,170 a year, and a quarter of physical therapist assistants earn $48,340 or less.
How many physical therapist assistants work in Rapid City, SD?
About 40 physical therapist assistants are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.