Respiratory Therapist salary in South Dakota
Respiratory Therapists in South Dakota earn a median of $68,240 a year ($32.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,830 for the top 10%. That is 17% lower than the national median of $82,280. South Dakota ranks 49th of 51 states for respiratory therapists pay. There are 0.94 respiratory therapists per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,910, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for respiratory therapists in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,530 | $23.33 |
| 25th percentile | $62,010 | $29.81 |
| Median | $68,240 | $32.81 |
| 75th percentile | $79,370 | $38.16 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,830 | $42.71 |
| Average (mean) | $68,910 | $33.13 |
Half of respiratory 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 | $5,686.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,843.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,624.62 |
| Weekly | $1,312.31 |
| Hourly | $32.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Respiratory Therapist salary in cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $63,800 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $63,630 | 270 |
Highest-paying states for respiratory therapists
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $111,950 |
| New York | $107,810 |
| California | $104,820 |
| Massachusetts | $102,170 |
| Washington | $101,130 |
| New Jersey | $100,810 |
| Oregon | $100,560 |
| Minnesota | $98,710 |
| Alaska | $97,950 |
| New Hampshire | $95,940 |
Related jobs in South Dakota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $78,060 | $37.53 |
| Pharmacist | $146,790 | $70.57 |
| Physical Therapist | $92,660 | $44.55 |
| 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 |
| 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 29-1126. 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 respiratory therapist make in South Dakota?
The median salary for respiratory therapists in South Dakota is $68,240 a year, or $32.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,530 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid respiratory therapists make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of respiratory therapists in South Dakota earn at least $88,830 a year. The top 25% earn $79,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for respiratory therapists in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,530 a year, and a quarter of respiratory therapists earn $62,010 or less.
How many respiratory therapists work in South Dakota?
About 430 respiratory therapists are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.