Physical Therapist salary in South Dakota
Physical Therapists in South Dakota earn a median of $92,660 a year ($44.55 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,870 for the top 10%. That is 10% lower than the national median of $102,760. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for physical therapists pay. There are 2.3 physical therapists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $93,200, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physical therapists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,890 | $37.45 |
| 25th percentile | $82,380 | $39.61 |
| Median | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| 75th percentile | $103,630 | $49.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $107,870 | $51.86 |
| Average (mean) | $93,200 | $44.81 |
Half of physical therapists 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 | $7,721.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,860.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,563.85 |
| Weekly | $1,781.92 |
| Hourly | $44.55 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physical Therapist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $100,380 | 100 |
| Rapid City, SD | $94,120 | 190 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $91,470 | 460 |
Highest-paying states for physical therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $124,190 |
| Alaska | $115,280 |
| New Jersey | $112,140 |
| Nevada | $111,250 |
| Maryland | $106,890 |
| New Mexico | $106,880 |
| Washington | $105,950 |
| Texas | $105,810 |
| Illinois | $105,250 |
| Connecticut | $104,360 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| 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 29-1123. 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 make in South Dakota?
The median salary for physical therapists in South Dakota is $92,660 a year, or $44.55 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,890 for the lowest-paid 10% to $107,870 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physical therapists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of physical therapists in South Dakota earn at least $107,870 a year. The top 25% earn $103,630 or more.
What is the starting pay for physical therapists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,890 a year, and a quarter of physical therapists earn $82,380 or less.
How many physical therapists work in South Dakota?
About 1,060 physical therapists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.