Physicist salary in South Dakota
Physicists in South Dakota earn a median of $83,050 a year ($39.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $53,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,690 for the top 10%. That is 52% lower than the national median of $172,250. South Dakota ranks 42nd of 43 states for physicists pay. There are 0.08 physicists per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.58). The average (mean) salary is $108,270, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for physicists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $53,910 | $25.92 |
| 25th percentile | $66,170 | $31.81 |
| Median | $83,050 | $39.93 |
| 75th percentile | $134,300 | $64.57 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $180,690 | $86.87 |
| Average (mean) | $108,270 | $52.06 |
Half of physicists 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 | $6,920.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,460.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,194.23 |
| Weekly | $1,597.12 |
| Hourly | $39.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Highest-paying states for physicists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Florida | $225,390 |
| New Hampshire | $214,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $210,990 |
| California | $207,490 |
| Oregon | $200,320 |
| Oklahoma | $200,050 |
| Texas | $184,040 |
| New York | $181,970 |
| Kentucky | $180,910 |
| Connecticut | $180,300 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health | $68,230 | $32.80 |
| Chemist | $67,440 | $32.42 |
| Atmospheric and Space Scientists | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Geoscientists, Except Hydrologists and Geographers | $71,150 | $34.21 |
| Soil and Plant Scientists | $73,590 | $35.38 |
| Conservation Scientist | $76,400 | $36.73 |
| Agricultural Technician | $41,420 | $19.91 |
| Forest and Conservation Technicians | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Occupational Health and Safety Specialists | $88,610 | $42.60 |
| Biological Technician | $41,300 | $19.86 |
| Urban and Regional Planners | $71,180 | $34.22 |
| Biological Scientists, All Other | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| Zoologists and Wildlife Biologists | $65,890 | $31.68 |
| Medical Scientists, Except Epidemiologists | $80,890 | $38.89 |
More: Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations · all salaries in South Dakota
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 19-2012. 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 physicist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for physicists in South Dakota is $83,050 a year, or $39.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $53,910 for the lowest-paid 10% to $180,690 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid physicists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of physicists in South Dakota earn at least $180,690 a year. The top 25% earn $134,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for physicists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $53,910 a year, and a quarter of physicists earn $66,170 or less.
How many physicists work in South Dakota?
About 30 physicists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.