Physician Assistant salary in Rapid City, SD
Physician Assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $130,740 a year ($62.86 an hour), based on BLS data for 150 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,950 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $135,880. Pay here is 2% lower than the South Dakota statewide median of $133,200. There are 2.0 physician assistants per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $129,590, close to the median.
Pay range for physician assistants in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,110 | $46.69 |
| 25th percentile | $113,340 | $54.49 |
| Median | $130,740 | $62.86 |
| 75th percentile | $145,390 | $69.90 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $157,950 | $75.94 |
| Average (mean) | $129,590 | $62.31 |
Half of physician 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 | $10,895 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,447.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,028.46 |
| Weekly | $2,514.23 |
| Hourly | $62.86 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Physician Assistant salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $135,790 | 290 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $130,970 | 70 |
Highest-paying states for physician assistants
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| New Jersey | $165,690 |
| California | $165,650 |
| Washington | $164,360 |
| Hawaii | $164,050 |
| New York | $160,880 |
| Oregon | $155,780 |
| New Hampshire | $150,960 |
| Alaska | $150,700 |
| Vermont | $150,490 |
| Massachusetts | $142,410 |
See Physician Assistant pay in every state or the South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $79,380 | $38.17 |
| Pharmacist | $140,340 | $67.47 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,160 | $59.69 |
| Physical Therapist | $94,120 | $45.25 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $230,530 | $110.83 |
| Dental Hygienist | $91,890 | $44.18 |
| Dentists, General | $158,140 | $76.03 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,120 | $47.66 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $71,690 | $34.47 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $211,990 | $101.92 |
| Veterinarian | $90,410 | $43.47 |
| Chiropractor | $78,120 | $37.56 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1071. 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 physician assistant make in Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for physician assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $130,740 a year, or $62.86 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,110 for the lowest-paid 10% to $157,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physician assistants make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of physician assistants in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $157,950 a year. The top 25% earn $145,390 or more.
What is the starting pay for physician assistants in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,110 a year, and a quarter of physician assistants earn $113,340 or less.
How many physician assistants work in Rapid City, SD?
About 150 physician assistants are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.